3 Chronology of the abolition of the slave trade and of slavery in South America and the Caribbean, 1555–1888

Portuguese Prince Regent Dom João agrees in a treaty with Britain to move towards abolition of the slave trade and to outlaw participation in the trade by his subjects outside Portuguese territories in Africa. In Spanish America, the Supreme Junta of Caracas and Hidalgo in Mexico abolish the slave trade. Planters in Cuba petition against any Spanish involvement in an anti-slavery policy (and repeat their petitions in 1822 and 1823). Slaves are offered their freedom in return for volunteering for rebel armies in wars of independence in Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela which are waged in the following two decades.