Slavery was formally abolished in the Swedish colony of Saint Barthélemy on October 9, 1847, through a decree issued by the colony's governor. This pivotal moment came during a period of increasing opposition to slavery in various parts of the world, particularly in Europe where moral and humanitarian arguments against slavery were gaining traction. The abolition was part of a larger shift across the Atlantic world, influencing and reflecting growing abolitionist sentiments that had taken root in both Europe and the Americas.

The colony of Saint Barthélemy, a small island in the Caribbean, was under Swedish rule from 1784 until its sale to France in 1878. As a strategic trading port, it relied heavily on the labor of enslaved Africans. As public opinion began to shift and the moral implications of slavery became more discussed, the Swedish government faced mounting pressure to address the inhumane practices that were prevalent in their colonies. The decree not only granted freedom to enslaved individuals but also set in motion changes to the social and economic structures of the island.

Following the abolition, the lives of many former slaves significantly changed as they transitioned to freedom. The authorities enacted measures aimed at integrating freed individuals into society while managing the economic implications of the changes. This included the establishment of wage labor and new opportunities for autonomy, although the transition was met with challenges, including the necessity to redefine economic systems on the island, which had previously depended on slave labor. The abolition also signaled a broader trend in the Caribbean and beyond, as more nations began to reconsider their policies regarding slavery during the mid-19th century, leading to a wave of emancipation across the region.