To what extent was opposition to the slave trade and slavery in British America successful?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that opposition to the slave trade and slavery in British America was successful. Candidates may offer equal coverage of successes and failures, or they may prioritize their assessment of either one. However, both aspects will be a feature of the response. Candidates may refer to the opposition to the slave trade and slavery in British America developed by the Quakers and claim that while they were effective at raising anti-slavery sentiment among members, their impact on legislation during most parts of the seventeenth and eighteenth century was minimal. Furthermore, they may also argue that by the end of the eighteenth century, anti-slavery sentiments among Quakers began to crystalize into action, evaluating, for example, the impact that John Woolman and Anthony Benezet had on manumissions. Candidates may also evaluate achievements that came with the ratification of the US Constitution; or evaluate the successes and failures of the 1739 Stono Revolt in the Carolinas. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question as to what extent the opposition to the slave trade and slavery was successful in British America was rarely chosen. The focus was almost always on the role of the Quakers. Too often the knowledge cited was on content past the time period of the question.