The British Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 was a significant law that aimed to end slavery throughout the British Empire. It received royal assent on August 28, 1833, and came into effect on August 1, 1834. The act freed over 800,000 enslaved people in the colonies, marking a major step towards human rights and equality. However, the act did not immediately free all enslaved individuals. Instead, it established a system of apprenticeship, requiring former enslaved people to work for their former owners for a set period. This system was met with resistance and was eventually abolished in 1838, leading to full freedom for the formerly enslaved.