France's National Assembly unanimously voted to abolish the "Black Code," a set of laws that had been in effect for nearly 180 years after the abolition of slavery. 254 deputies participated in the vote.
The "Black Code" was enacted in 1685 under King Louis XIV, legally treating enslaved people as property and permitting their exploitation, violence, and murder.
France transported approximately 1.4 million Africans to sugar plantations in its colonies, making it the third largest slave trading nation after Britain and Portugal.
After slavery was abolished, France retained several colonies, four of which—Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, and Réunion—became overseas departments in 1946.
