May 1807 Why did it take so many centuries to abolish the Transatlantic Slave Trade in the World? This interview with William Wilberforce of the House of Commons on May 25 1807 tells what he had to go through fighting tremendous opposition from the Members of Parliament even though to us living in the 21st Century can see the human traffic in slaves is contrary to the principles of justice, humanity and sound policy. The reasons for keeping slavery alive are given at the end of the video. Anyone will find this distasteful, and unbelievable for today, but remember these people were living in the 18th century not the 21st.