Did enslaved people, not politicians, drive the four-century fight to end slavery?

History · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Historian Carrie Gibson challenges the traditional narrative of abolition. This discussion examines how enslaved individuals were the primary architects of their own liberation, moving beyond the focus on famous political figures to highlight the persistent, multi-faceted resistance that defined the struggle across the Americas.

The transatlantic slave trade began in the 1400s, establishing a system that permeated entire societies rather than just plantations. Gibson argues that the concept of freedom in the 18th and 19th centuries was often hypocritically defined, frequently excluding millions of people while the institution of slavery remained deeply entrenched.

Resistance took many forms, ranging from large-scale uprisings like the Haitian Revolution to daily acts of sabotage, work slowdowns, and escape. Enslaved people also utilized legal channels, organized communication networks, and established maroon communities to challenge their bondage. This history centers the agency of the oppressed in the 400-year effort to dismantle the system.

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