The plantation-owning Mauritians of French origin (Franco-Mauritians)…

The plantation-owning Mauritians of French origin (Franco-Mauritians) have resisted British attempts to eradicate slavery.

Finally, after much investigation, petitioning, and subterfuge, the authorities abolish slavery in 1835.

Plantation owners win several concessions from the government, however, including a payment of two million one hundred thousand pounds sterling and laws obliging freed slaves to remain on their former owner's land as "apprentices" for six years.

Widespread desertions by "apprentices" force the abolition of the laws in 1838, two years before schedule, and create a severe labor shortage.