During the 18th century the world was going through many rapid changes. New world powers were emerging such as England, Portugal, and Spain; others were falling, such as China. The whole world seemed to press on the fast-forward button, and many transformations of known society ensued. Slavery was a big part of this new world. Among others, the newly developed colonies in the Caribbean were aimed at various crop production, benefiting their "mother country" financially. Much of the production in these endeavors depended on slave labor. The slave trade was at its peak around this time, with the majority of the slaves sailing from Africa, destined for the Caribbean. Although, in many areas of Western Europe the anti-slavery movement was rising as well, and finally receiving more attention. Though, it was Olaudah Equiano, a young African man, freed through manumission, who had the largest success in bringing attention to the cruelties of slavery.
             Equiano was kidnapped from his home when he was only a child, and along with his sister, he was sold into slavery and shipped to the Americas. After being separated from his sister, and passed through many different masters, Equiano ended up being purchased by a British naval officer. This man brought Equiano along with him during his travels, through Canada, England, and finally back to the West Indies. After buying his freedom through manumission in 1766, Equiano returned to England where he worked various jobs such as a barber, a domestic servant, and a sailor. He published his two-volume set of narratives in 1789, in which he detailed his experiences back in Africa, his kidnapping, and his life of slavery. Equiano's biography became a best-seller in England, gaining acclaim for his riveting description of the actual conditions for slaves in the Middle Passage and the reality of the lives of slaves.
             The fact that Equiano established a name for himself enabled him to bring mo...