Abolition

The Abolitionist Movement

A brief overview of anti-slavery activities in the 1800s

The Abolitionist Movement

• Abolitionists are social reformers that want to end slavery in the U.S.

• They print newspapers calling for change

• They File lawsuits

• They raise and donate money to freeing the enslaved

• They Organize meetings

• They speak out publicly and write books

• All of this is in an effort to convince the public that slavery should be abolished

• They actively help enslaved people escape

Frederick Douglass

Escapes slavery in 1838

Works for abolition of slavery through powerful speaking and writing about his first-hand knowledge of the evils of slavery.

Publishes the antislavery newspaper: the North Star

William Lloyd Garrison

• Publishes the antislavery newspaper The Liberator in 1831

• Co-founds the New England Anti-Slavery Society

• Reward is put out for his arrest in the South

• Outspoken critic of the U.S. Constitution and anyone who will not resist slavery

David Walker

• 1829- Writes the antislavery book: Walker’s Appeal in Four Articles

• Argues for equality and the destruction of slavery

• The state of Georgia puts out a 1,000 reward for anyone who could murder him

The Grimke Sisters

• Angelina and Sarah are from South Carolina and are the daughters of a slave holder

• They reject slavery and move North where they lecture successfully for the abolitionist movement

• Many feel that women should not speak in public

• They also embrace women’s rights and feminism

The Underground Railroad

• A network of abolitionists who help enslaved people escape into the North and Canada

• “Conductors”- guide the people who are escaping

• “Stations”- places along the network where people meet and hide

Negative Reaction from the North

• Many people are afraid that escaping people will compete for jobs

• Southern economic problems will lead to Northern loss of money No Slaves=No Cotton

• Fugitive Slave Laws are enforced to keep people from escaping to the North

Reaction from the South

• Slavery is essential to the southern economy

• Slave owners blamed abolitionists for violent slave uprisings

• White southerners accuse the abolitionists of suggesting violence against the south

• Slave catchers pursue people escaping to the North