Slavery was abolished on June 1, 1862 in all United States possessions, according to Brainy History. That’s exactly 145 years ago. This was during the Civil War, so it was a symbolic but hollow gesture if the date is correct.

The slave trade in Britain was made illegal in 1802, backed by further legislation in 1807 and 1833. Royal Navy ships were vigilant in stopping the trade.

American history intrigues me. I often think the world could have been a much different place if events had transpired differently.

For instance, if the American colonies had remained British, how would the world look today? I think it would be a better place, although the USA itself would not exist as we know it. There would be separate English, French and Spanish speaking independent countries.

That in itself would have put the brakes on American domination, which largely occurred through the country’s abstinence from World War One until the death, so to speak. Europe and the British Dominions suffered while America profited.

Slavery had to be abolished and it’s a wonder it took the Americans so long to realise that. Whatever you think about British imperialism, in my mind they were the best colonists and the ones with the most altruistic world view.

If Australia had been settled by the Spanish, Dutch or French, for instance. we would be a much different country today, probably more like Argentina, South Africa or Mauritius.