The second decree of Abolition of slavery in France was signed the April 27th 1848 by Lamartine. It was adopted under the impulse of Victor Schoelcher, following a voyage of this one in America.

The abolition of slavery had been proclaimed already in France during the Révolution, on the initiative of the abbot Henri Gregoire, founder of the Conservatoire national of arts and trades in 1794. Napoleon Bonaparte cancelled these provisions, authorizing again the Esclavage in the French territories of overseas in 1802.