In 1792, the Danish banned the Transatlantic Slave Trade. In 1847, Denmark began a process of gradual emancipation. It entailed phasing out slavery over a 12 year period beginning with the new-born babies of enslaved women. This idea did not sit well with the enslaved populace. Some felt that would never know freedom because of the extended emancipation period.
In 1848, in response to the gradual emancipation approach of the Danish, the enslaved population revolted. Several thousand slaves threatned to burn down Frederiksted and the rest of St. Croix, if freedom was not granted. The island's governor saw no way to prevent insurrection than granting freedom.
#Slavery #DanishWestIndies #Emancipation