Answer:
Reluctance of Europeans to go and work in
distant and unfamilia lands meant a shortage of labour on the plantations. So
this was met by a triangular slave trade between Europe, Africa and the
Americas. The exploitation of slave labour made it possible to meet the growing
demand in European markets for sugar, coffee and indigo.
Legislative Measures:
(i) Throughout the 18th century there was little criticism
of slavery in France.
(ii)
The National Assembly held long debates about whether the rights of man should
be extended to all French subjects including those in the colonies. But it did
not pass any laws, fearing opposition from businessmen whose incomes depended
on the slave trade.
(iii)
It was finally the convention which in 1794 legislated to free all slaves in
the French overseas possessions.
(iv) This however turned out to be a short-term measure;
ten years later, Napolean reintroduced slavery.
(v)
Plantation owners understood their freedom as including the right to enslave
African Negroes in pursuit of their economic interests.
(vi) Slavery was finally abolished in French colonies in
1848.
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