A movement to end the practice of enslaving people, prevalent across various historical periods and geographical locations, focused on the immediate or gradual emancipation of enslaved individuals and the eradication of the systems that supported forced servitude. This sociopolitical stance encompassed moral, religious, and economic arguments against the holding of humans as property. A key example is the transatlantic slave trade, where individuals and organized groups sought to dismantle the forced migration and exploitation of Africans in the Americas.
This ideology held significant importance due to its direct challenge to established power structures and economic systems that relied on unpaid labor. The efforts to dismantle slavery resulted in social and political upheaval, legislative changes, and, in some cases, violent conflict. The dismantling of these systems contributed to the development of modern concepts of human rights and equality, though the legacy of enslavement continues to impact societies globally.
