Manumission refers to the voluntary release of slaves, while emancipation refers to the release of control. Manumission was not always a cure-all, as existing systems often created other problems. The colonies attempted to interfere with the ability of slave owners to free slaves.
The term “manmissione” is believed to date back to the 15th century. It refers to the voluntary liberation of slaves. The term is commonly used to refer to such actions when they occurred in the United States (USA), but this type of liberation is not limited solely to US history.
Although manumission refers to the granting of freedom to slaves, a person should not seek to use the word as a substitute for emancipation. These two terms, while referring to similar actions, are completely different. In general terms, manumission refers to the voluntary release of a slave. Emancipation, however, refers to the release of control, which may or may not be voluntary and the situation need not be one of slavery. For example, teenagers can be emancipated from their parents.
In historical terms, the two words cannot yet be used synonymously because the tampering is voluntary. The Emancipation Proclamation, which is one of the more common uses of the word “emancipation,” refers to the mass ending of slavery in the United States. These actions were in no way voluntary and before this happened, the slaves were already being manumitted.
While there were instances where slaves were manumitted purely out of good will, it was common that there were conditions or factors that influenced the freeing of slaves. In Jewish history, for example, religious conversion has been grounds for manumission. The marriage of a slave to a person of a race deemed superior was in some cases the basis of freedom. Throughout history, it has also been found that slaves were commonly freed immediately before or after the death of their owners.
While a tampered person has been granted freedom, in many cases, it has not been a cure-all. Existing systems often created other problems. For example, according to Colonial Williamsburg, a law was passed in Virginia in 1691 to discourage slave owners from manipulating slaves. The law required freed slaves to leave the state, which was then a colony, within six months of liberation. Not only did these individuals have to find a place to go, but their former masters had to pay for the journey.
In colonial Virginia, dissent toward freeing slaves pushed lawmakers even further. Another law that was passed later prohibited slave owners from manipulating slaves as they pleased. Slaves could only be freed as a reward for public service, Colonial Williamsburg notes, yet this could only be done if a request was made to the governor and he approved it. The history of the United States shows that in many cases the colonies attempted to interfere with the ability of slave owners to free slaves.
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