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Who wrote the decree that finally abolished slavery in 1848?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: Victor Schœlcher. Victor Schœlcher wrote the decree of 27 April 1848. This decree finally abolished slavery in the French colonies. Schœlcher was then under-secretary of State for the colonies. Source: the Ministry of the Interior sheet “La IIème République (1848-1851)” (in French).
Sources: Sheet “La IIème République (1848-1851)” (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
- ✗ Napoleon BonaparteNapoléon BonaparteHe brought slavery back in 1802.
- ✗ Louis DelgrèsLouis DelgrèsThat is not the right answer: the sheet says Victor Schœlcher wrote the decree of 27 April 1848.
- ✗ Robert BadinterRobert BadinterHe supported ending the death penalty in 1981.
- ✓ Victor SchœlcherVictor SchœlcherCorrect answer. Victor Schœlcher wrote the decree of 27 April 1848. This decree finally abolished slavery in the French colonies. Schœlcher was then under-secretary of State for the colonies.
What the source says
« décret du 27 avril 1848 rédigé par Victor Schœlcher »
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: « Quel homme a écrit le décret qui abolit définitivement l'esclavage en 1848 ? ». 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: “Qui a aboli l'esclavage en France ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “La IIème République (1848-1851)” (French).
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