What was the first established sovereign state to abolish slavery in the Western world?

Answer 1

The first overall was probably the Persian Empire under emperor Cyrus the Great, who abolished slavery in Babylon on October 29, 539BC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_Cylinder

In the Western World, it was Portugal that was the first country in Europe to again abolish slavery, in its European territory, Azores and Madeira islands and in the Portuguese State of India (Goa Daman and Diu). This was done by a decree issued in February 12, 1761 by the prime minister, the Marquis of Pombal.

England followed in 1772, when a legal case concerning James Somersett established the illegality of slavery.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery#Abolitionist_movements

In Sweden, the *slave trade* was outlawed in 1333, but resurfaced on a small scale as Sweden briefly held a few minor colonies beginning in the mid 17th century."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_slave_trade

Answer 2

Previous answer is not technically correct if one considers the entire British Empire. France first abolished slavery in 1794. It was restored in 1802 and then definitively abolished in 1848. England only formally abolished slavery throughout its Empire in 1833 (although it was defunct in the home country in practice by 1772 due to legal proceedings). However, the prize has to go for Sweden 1335 followed by Portugal as a distant second in 1761.

Answer 3

England.

Saudi Arabia outlawed slavery in 1965!