ABOLITIONIST MOVEMENT
The mid-1800’s was characterized in America as an era of prosperity and wealth; a direct result of the institution of slavery; however it also brought forth the conclusion that slaves were treated inhumanely. America began to see how slaves were forced to work for long hours in laborious tasks and came to the conclusion that slaves were being treated inhumanely. Many Americans, particularly in the North, thought it was hypocritical that the country had finished fighting a war for freedom and independence against Britain, yet they were denying these rights to African Americans. Blacks had served in the revolutionary army, and were petitioning for emancipation. Movements began to gain momentum, led by both black and white abolitionists as well as both radicals and moderates. White anti-slavery organizations campaigned for reform, and by 1804 convinced Northern states to gradually get rid of the institution. The anti-slavery movement grew stronger, and by the civil war saw its height in supporters and participation. While the white abolitionist movement took its course, a few important figures made headlines as active leaders in the fight against slavery. Angelina and Sarah Grimke were two young women who devoted their lives to fighting for equality. As for John Brown, he was a very active abolitionist who believed in fighting back and defending one’s own. These are three of the many white abolitionists who knew slavery was wrong, and were willing to defend what they knew was right.
The Grimke sisters were set apart from the rest, when Angelina wrote a letter to William Lloyd Garrison’s newspaper, The Liberator. Her letter revealed that ending slavery was “a cause worth dying for," and she was willing to help in any way she could. This included her writing a pamphlet to southern Christian women, discussing the immoralities of slavery. Although, the pamphlet was burned by the southern women, Angelina and Sarah continued working toward furthering rights for both slaves and women. With the same goal in mind, John Brown took to more direct means of fighting for freedom. Leading battles such as the Battle of Black Jack, and Bleeding Kansas were a few of his major victories against pro slaver y whites. In his last raid attempt, at Harpers Ferry; he was caught and hanged for treason. Many historians believe Brown’s revolts have been a cause of the Civil War, and what contributed to bringing slavery to an end. Thanks to abolitionists similar the ones listed, slavery was raising moral concerns in the mid nineteenth century and the South knew the battle against slavery was not going to come to an end anytime soon.
Although, the white abolitionists’ goal was to end slavery, this did not mean that blacks were looked at as equals. Black abolitionists did not often collaborate with whites, since they were said to have had different agendas and forms of resistance such as the Underground Railroad. Many white abolitionists, despite John Brown, did not agree with breaking the law, therefore many of their contributions toward the end of slavery were in the form of conferences and speaking rallies. Since most blacks were uneducated and could hardly read or write; it was difficult for whites and blacks to work together for the fight against slavery. Many black abolitionists trying to help slaves escape and gain freedom were not accepted by the white abolitionists. As racism continued on, all blacks were looked at as inferior to the white race, and even some abolitionists fighting against slavery were convinced of this notion.
Abolitionism played an immense roll in the struggle for slaves’ freedom. Even though African American equality was still an issue, the efforts to begin a slave free lifestyle were just beginning. Inspirational men and women, just as the Grimke sisters, and John Brown were among the few who supported equality and worked toward furthering African American rights and putting an end to the enslavement of millions.
White abolitionist were particularly influential during the nineteenth century as they were champions for change. As a strong Christian reformation took place within the country, the abolitionist movement grew as a response to the concept of “moral suasion.” The white population began to sympathize with African American slaves. People like John Ranking, William Lloyd Garrison, and Harriet Beecher Stowe were among the white abolitionists that wanted to bring to the light the horrors of slavery. John Ranking was among the first to publish anti-slavery writings to a wide demographic, serving as an inspiration to the latter. After Rankin was licensed as a minister of the Presbyterian Church, he began to preach against “forms of oppression” (Willey 158), and eventually published anti-slavery letters written to his brother in an Ohio newspaper. Rankin earned the reputation as a friend of the slaves, and his house would eventually become one of the busiest stations of the Underground Railroad (Willey 161). The abolitionist movement did not lose momentum, but rather gained much more as people were inspired to voice their opinions against it. William Lloyd Garrison was also influential in protesting the institution of slavery. Inspired by the efforts of John Rankin, Garrison published The Liberator and founded the American Anti-Slavery Society. Garrison’s weekly newspaper, The Liberator featured details on the crimes committed on slaves by their owners, and soon enough he was dubbed as one of the most radical anti-slavery activists of his time (The History Channel). Garrison called for the complete emancipation of slaves of America in The Liberator, action that the American Anti-Slavery society also called for. The Anti-Slavery society was able to gain more than a quarter of million supporters within seven years of its founding, thus proving the growing strength of the abolitionist movement. As writing was especially important when gathering supporters for the abolitionist movement, another important figure for the protest of the institution of slavery was Harriet Beecher Stowe, and her best-selling novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Stowe’s novel was significant because it was circulated throughout the states as a book that powerfully illustrated the dark side of slavery, particularly the separations of families (Harriet Beecher Stowe Center). The novel was among the first pieces of literature to inform a majority of the common people about the actual stipulations of slavery. The book became the second best seller in the country behind the Bible. As a result, it stirred a lot of controversy, particularly in the South where many called for justification of the allegations she made on the matter of the inhumanity of slavery. The South even banned the book because they accused Stowe of making untruthful assumptions, and it also depicted slavery in a dark, degrading form. Stowe published a response/ guide to her novel titled A Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin, where she justified her claims. The book, along with The Liberator and the efforts of the John Ranking became some of the most significant elements of the widespread abolitionist movement which resulted in a strong desire to push toward reform in the nation.
By the 1830's and 1840's the abolitionist movement saw a climax where many of the nation's people were persuaded to take part in the movement, however the goal of the abolitionist movement was not just to inform society about why it was unjust or inhumane, but also to herald the gain of freedom for those enslaved. Pamphlets, letters, newspapers, books, meetings, and gatherings all played an important role in dividing the nation on the issue of slavery as they not only informed the nation, but stated cause for freedom and pushed toward rights of slaves. The white abolitionist movement was strongly impacted by literature, however that is not to say that literature was the only "weapon" used by white abolitionists. White abolitionists also played a major part in helping guide the resistance efforts made by many slaves. White abolitionists served as guides and hosts of "stations" in the south as part of the Underground Railroad. Some, like John Ranking, would light a lantern from his house up on a hill to let fugitives know it was safe to cross the river (The History Channel). Though not all abolitionists agreed on how exactly the emancipation of slaves would take place, to what extent and what freedoms slaves would receive, they all were rallied together by the same end in mind: termination of the institution all African American men, women and children were born into. The ideals of freedom were highly prevalent during this era of reform.
While White Abolitionists were the ones who had began the push for antislavery, it goes without saying that among the vast slave population there were free Blacks who stood up for their people and voiced the movement's cause. But the fact of the matter is free blacks were still in the same boat as their brothers and sisters in bondage. One of the most important figures in the Abolition Movement, arguably the most important Black Abolitionist was Frederick Douglass. Not only did he understand this firsthand but he was the one of the best at interpreting it. Like many other former slaves, he was able to inform people of what it was like to be a slave; giving a first hand account to the inhumanity of slavery. In his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, he breaks down one of the main arguments of pro slavery that blacks were justified as slaves because they were intellectually inferior simply by showing his capabilities as a writer, “You are loosened from your moorings, and are free; I am fast in my chains, and am a slave!” In this line and further on he poetically speaks about how he can never be free as the boats that go to sail the ocean because he is reminded of his peoples current condition as slaves. Having had William Lloyd Garrison, a fellow abolitionist, for a mentor he would further expand his thoughts to a larger audience by creating his own paper, which he named, The North Star. An antislavery paper that only fought against slavery but also fought for women’s rights. His choice of the newspapers heading further proves his ability as a writer because the North Star was what runaway slaves would use as a their guide to escape Southern territory. And so in a way, he created a second guide that would reach more than 4,000 readers in the United States and in Europe (Blackpress). But writing was only half of what he did to reach and persuade people; the other most important ability was his oratorical skill to read those writings. Which had originally given him attention and began his start as a black abolitionist. One of his known speeches was the one he had done during the fourth of July in 1852 where he calls out the audience on the irony of how the holiday is supposed to represent liberty and freedom and yet they still own slaves. “Douglass became a symbol of his age and a unique voice for humanism and social justice. His life and thought will always speak profoundly to the meaning of being black in America, as well as the human calling to resist oppression” (History.com).
The Grimke sisters were set apart from the rest, when Angelina wrote a letter to William Lloyd Garrison’s newspaper, The Liberator. Her letter revealed that ending slavery was “a cause worth dying for," and she was willing to help in any way she could. This included her writing a pamphlet to southern Christian women, discussing the immoralities of slavery. Although, the pamphlet was burned by the southern women, Angelina and Sarah continued working toward furthering rights for both slaves and women. With the same goal in mind, John Brown took to more direct means of fighting for freedom. Leading battles such as the Battle of Black Jack, and Bleeding Kansas were a few of his major victories against pro slaver y whites. In his last raid attempt, at Harpers Ferry; he was caught and hanged for treason. Many historians believe Brown’s revolts have been a cause of the Civil War, and what contributed to bringing slavery to an end. Thanks to abolitionists similar the ones listed, slavery was raising moral concerns in the mid nineteenth century and the South knew the battle against slavery was not going to come to an end anytime soon.
Although, the white abolitionists’ goal was to end slavery, this did not mean that blacks were looked at as equals. Black abolitionists did not often collaborate with whites, since they were said to have had different agendas and forms of resistance such as the Underground Railroad. Many white abolitionists, despite John Brown, did not agree with breaking the law, therefore many of their contributions toward the end of slavery were in the form of conferences and speaking rallies. Since most blacks were uneducated and could hardly read or write; it was difficult for whites and blacks to work together for the fight against slavery. Many black abolitionists trying to help slaves escape and gain freedom were not accepted by the white abolitionists. As racism continued on, all blacks were looked at as inferior to the white race, and even some abolitionists fighting against slavery were convinced of this notion.
Abolitionism played an immense roll in the struggle for slaves’ freedom. Even though African American equality was still an issue, the efforts to begin a slave free lifestyle were just beginning. Inspirational men and women, just as the Grimke sisters, and John Brown were among the few who supported equality and worked toward furthering African American rights and putting an end to the enslavement of millions.
White abolitionist were particularly influential during the nineteenth century as they were champions for change. As a strong Christian reformation took place within the country, the abolitionist movement grew as a response to the concept of “moral suasion.” The white population began to sympathize with African American slaves. People like John Ranking, William Lloyd Garrison, and Harriet Beecher Stowe were among the white abolitionists that wanted to bring to the light the horrors of slavery. John Ranking was among the first to publish anti-slavery writings to a wide demographic, serving as an inspiration to the latter. After Rankin was licensed as a minister of the Presbyterian Church, he began to preach against “forms of oppression” (Willey 158), and eventually published anti-slavery letters written to his brother in an Ohio newspaper. Rankin earned the reputation as a friend of the slaves, and his house would eventually become one of the busiest stations of the Underground Railroad (Willey 161). The abolitionist movement did not lose momentum, but rather gained much more as people were inspired to voice their opinions against it. William Lloyd Garrison was also influential in protesting the institution of slavery. Inspired by the efforts of John Rankin, Garrison published The Liberator and founded the American Anti-Slavery Society. Garrison’s weekly newspaper, The Liberator featured details on the crimes committed on slaves by their owners, and soon enough he was dubbed as one of the most radical anti-slavery activists of his time (The History Channel). Garrison called for the complete emancipation of slaves of America in The Liberator, action that the American Anti-Slavery society also called for. The Anti-Slavery society was able to gain more than a quarter of million supporters within seven years of its founding, thus proving the growing strength of the abolitionist movement. As writing was especially important when gathering supporters for the abolitionist movement, another important figure for the protest of the institution of slavery was Harriet Beecher Stowe, and her best-selling novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Stowe’s novel was significant because it was circulated throughout the states as a book that powerfully illustrated the dark side of slavery, particularly the separations of families (Harriet Beecher Stowe Center). The novel was among the first pieces of literature to inform a majority of the common people about the actual stipulations of slavery. The book became the second best seller in the country behind the Bible. As a result, it stirred a lot of controversy, particularly in the South where many called for justification of the allegations she made on the matter of the inhumanity of slavery. The South even banned the book because they accused Stowe of making untruthful assumptions, and it also depicted slavery in a dark, degrading form. Stowe published a response/ guide to her novel titled A Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin, where she justified her claims. The book, along with The Liberator and the efforts of the John Ranking became some of the most significant elements of the widespread abolitionist movement which resulted in a strong desire to push toward reform in the nation.
By the 1830's and 1840's the abolitionist movement saw a climax where many of the nation's people were persuaded to take part in the movement, however the goal of the abolitionist movement was not just to inform society about why it was unjust or inhumane, but also to herald the gain of freedom for those enslaved. Pamphlets, letters, newspapers, books, meetings, and gatherings all played an important role in dividing the nation on the issue of slavery as they not only informed the nation, but stated cause for freedom and pushed toward rights of slaves. The white abolitionist movement was strongly impacted by literature, however that is not to say that literature was the only "weapon" used by white abolitionists. White abolitionists also played a major part in helping guide the resistance efforts made by many slaves. White abolitionists served as guides and hosts of "stations" in the south as part of the Underground Railroad. Some, like John Ranking, would light a lantern from his house up on a hill to let fugitives know it was safe to cross the river (The History Channel). Though not all abolitionists agreed on how exactly the emancipation of slaves would take place, to what extent and what freedoms slaves would receive, they all were rallied together by the same end in mind: termination of the institution all African American men, women and children were born into. The ideals of freedom were highly prevalent during this era of reform.
While White Abolitionists were the ones who had began the push for antislavery, it goes without saying that among the vast slave population there were free Blacks who stood up for their people and voiced the movement's cause. But the fact of the matter is free blacks were still in the same boat as their brothers and sisters in bondage. One of the most important figures in the Abolition Movement, arguably the most important Black Abolitionist was Frederick Douglass. Not only did he understand this firsthand but he was the one of the best at interpreting it. Like many other former slaves, he was able to inform people of what it was like to be a slave; giving a first hand account to the inhumanity of slavery. In his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, he breaks down one of the main arguments of pro slavery that blacks were justified as slaves because they were intellectually inferior simply by showing his capabilities as a writer, “You are loosened from your moorings, and are free; I am fast in my chains, and am a slave!” In this line and further on he poetically speaks about how he can never be free as the boats that go to sail the ocean because he is reminded of his peoples current condition as slaves. Having had William Lloyd Garrison, a fellow abolitionist, for a mentor he would further expand his thoughts to a larger audience by creating his own paper, which he named, The North Star. An antislavery paper that only fought against slavery but also fought for women’s rights. His choice of the newspapers heading further proves his ability as a writer because the North Star was what runaway slaves would use as a their guide to escape Southern territory. And so in a way, he created a second guide that would reach more than 4,000 readers in the United States and in Europe (Blackpress). But writing was only half of what he did to reach and persuade people; the other most important ability was his oratorical skill to read those writings. Which had originally given him attention and began his start as a black abolitionist. One of his known speeches was the one he had done during the fourth of July in 1852 where he calls out the audience on the irony of how the holiday is supposed to represent liberty and freedom and yet they still own slaves. “Douglass became a symbol of his age and a unique voice for humanism and social justice. His life and thought will always speak profoundly to the meaning of being black in America, as well as the human calling to resist oppression” (History.com).