In his 1789 speech advocating for the abolition of the slave trade, William Wilberforce aimed to inspire a profound impact on his audience. The most accurate assessment of his hopes for the audience is that he hopes they will support abolition.
Wilberforce employed passionate and moral rhetoric to convey the immorality of slavery, aiming to galvanize public sentiment and encourage his listeners to take action against the institution of slavery. He sought to evoke a sense of urgency and responsibility among his audience, leading them to join in the movement for abolition. By highlighting the gravity of the issue and appealing to their sense of justice and humanity, he aimed to mobilize support for the cause.