British abolitionism and the politics of sentiment 1787-1840

sentiment

and

politics?

politics of sentiment: is there such a thing as a “politics of sentiment”?

Part one= Machiavellian approach

how and why?

external and internal causes

the aftermath of Napoleonic defeats on America and Europe

changes in the trade and exchange habits due to a change in society

Part two= the enlightment perspective

French and Scottish philosophers

Society and its organizations: leaflets, boycots

ideas with a view : consequences on trade and exhanges between cultures

Part three= the passionate involvement of Quakers

William Wilberforce

and other important factual elements and people linked to the cause

Conclusion:

Did British abolitionists take their appointment with history with a capital H?

without being too assertive, we may say “yes” they did!

we may enlarge the perspective of this debate on contemporary issues, namely

the environmentalist debate and the debate on a more controlled, limited and reduced

economic development…

@English@Your English Teacher