Abolition, liberation and human rights
Movements for freedom, equality and justice.
MassacreZong massacre
The killing of enslaved Africans followed by a court dispute over their insurance value.
Colonial detention systemMau Mau detention system
Detention and torture during Britain's suppression of the Kenyan independence struggle.
Freedom and rightsThe Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Setting out a shared international statement of human rights.
Constitutional milestoneSouth Africa's first democratic election
Opening national voting to citizens of all races after apartheid.
Constitutional milestoneWomen's suffrage in New Zealand
Enfranchising women in national parliamentary elections.
Constitutional milestoneThe making of India's Constitution
Establishing the constitutional framework of an independent republic.
Freedom and rightsThe Haitian Revolution
Overthrowing plantation slavery and founding an independent Black republic.
Freedom and rightsThe Salt March
Turning a tax on an everyday necessity into a mass challenge to colonial rule.
Peace and resistanceWomen of Liberia Mass Action for Peace
Bringing Christian and Muslim women together to press for an end to war.
Abolition milestoneBritish abolition of the slave trade
Parliament outlawing British participation in the slave trade after sustained resistance and campaigning.
Abolition milestoneAbolition of slavery in Brazil
The Lei Áurea ending legal slavery after a long struggle by enslaved people and abolitionists.
Independence milestoneGhanaian independence
The Gold Coast becoming independent Ghana after mass political mobilisation against colonial rule.
DecolonisationAlgerian independence
A prolonged struggle ending French colonial rule in Algeria.
Independence struggleIndonesian independence revolution
Military resistance and diplomacy defeating Dutch attempts to restore colonial rule.
Civil rights campaignMontgomery bus boycott
A sustained boycott and legal challenge ending compulsory segregation on Montgomery buses.