Hamoud bin Mohammed vs Yeongjo of Joseon

After the Anglo-Zanzibar War, the British installed Hamoud bin Mohammed as sultan. He was chosen for his pro-British stance and willingness to cooperate with British anti-slavery policies, marking Zanzibar's transition to a British protectorate.

Hamoud bin Mohammed issued a decree abolishing the legal status of slavery in Zanzibar. This ended the island's role as a major slave trade hub, freeing approximately 60,000 enslaved people and compensating slave owners.

Hamoud bin Mohammed signed the Slavery Abolition Decree on April 5, 1897, which freed all slaves in Zanzibar and Pemba. The decree included provisions for former slaves to become tenants or wage laborers on plantations.

Yeongjo implemented the Tangpyeong policy to reduce factional strife by appointing officials from all factions. He banned factional labels and promoted merit-based appointments. This stabilized the court but did not eliminate factionalism entirely.

Yeongjo introduced the Gyunyeokbeop, a uniform military tax that replaced various service obligations with a cloth tax. This reduced the burden on commoners and increased state revenue, though it faced opposition from the aristocracy.

King Yeongjo ordered his son Crown Prince Sado to be locked inside a rice chest for eight days, leading to his death by starvation. Sado had been accused of mental illness and violent behavior. This event traumatized the court and led to Jeongjo's later reforms.

Yeongjo reigned for 52 years (1724-1776), the longest of any Joseon king. His reign saw cultural flourishing, economic stability, and political reforms, but also the tragic death of his son. He died at age 81, leaving a mixed legacy.