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In which year was slavery finally abolished in France?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: 1848. Slavery was finally abolished in 1848. It had been abolished in 1794, then brought back by Napoleon in 1802. The slave trade was abolished in 1815. Source: the Ministry of the Interior sheet “Le territoire français dans le temps (2/2)” (in French).
Sources: Sheet “Le territoire français dans le temps (2/2)” (French), read on 21 October 2026. Answer written by Hexaciv from this source. Hexaciv is an independent preparation tool. It is not an official website, is not linked to any government body and does not give legal advice. The authoritative source is the Ministry of the Interior's, cited on this page.
The four choices and why
- ✗ 17941794In 1794 slavery was abolished a first time, then brought back.
- ✗ 18021802In 1802 Napoleon brought slavery back.
- ✗ 18151815In 1815 it was the slave trade that was abolished.
- ✓ 18481848Correct answer. Slavery was finally abolished in 1848. It had been abolished in 1794, then brought back by Napoleon in 1802. The slave trade was abolished in 1815.
What the source says
« puis l’esclavage est définitivement aboli en 1848 »
Sentence copied word for word from the source, in French, read on 21 October 2026.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « En quelle année l'esclavage est-il aboli de façon définitive en France ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question comes from the list of the naturalisation version of the exam (PDF relayed by Le Français des affaires, read on 14 October 2026; the Ministry's own page for this list did not answer). The list's wording: “Depuis quand l'esclavage a-t-il été aboli en France ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “Le territoire français dans le temps (2/2)” (French).
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