What is the difference between manumission and emancipation of the enslaved? Manumission permitted the slave owner to release a slave on his own terms, while emancipation forced slave owners to legally free the enslaved. Manumission is legally freeing the enslaved of slavery, while emancipation is abolishing the institution of slavery. Manumission is abolishing the institution of slavery, while emancipation is allowing a slave to purchase his/her freedom. Emancipation permitted the slave owner to release a slave from slavery on his own terms, while manumission forced slave owners to legally free the enslaved.