Abolition Movement/ Abolitionists

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Early History of Abolitionism

First appeared in Britain and France in 18th and 19th centuries.Who was some of the early abolitionists in Britain?William Wilberforce, Thomas Clarkson, Zachary Macaulay, Lord BroughamSlavery slowly became abolished in the British Empire due to economic reasons

Slavery in the United StatesSlavery became unprofitable in the NorthWhile slavery in the South became more profitable due to the inventions of the cotton gin and other field machineryMany political figures and very important people were against Slavery Which led to people wanting to help the African Americans and put a permanent end to slavery

Standing in the WayThere were many issues standing in the way of the abolitionists:The Fugitive Act of 1850, which didn’t allow citizens to help fugitive slavesWhen the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution made it ok to hold slaves as property (1857 Dred Scott Decision)These issues also led to the Civil War between North and South

Societies That Helped the CauseThe American Colonization Society was formed to try and free the slavesThis society was founded in 1816 It led some of the earliest protestsOnce the slaves were freed, it tried to send slaves back to Liberia

The American Anti-Slavery Society was founded in 1833They tried to spread the Anti-Slavery campaign nation wideSoon local and state societies sprang up and held rallies and protests, they helped runaway slaves and blacks in the North

“Executive Committee of Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society”

Early Men AbolitionistsKey abolitionists were William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, Elihu Embree, and Elijah P. LovejoyFrederick Douglass was a black abolitionists who devoted himself solely to helping slavesGarrison was the founder of Anti-Slavery Society and publisher of the Liberator

    

                          

Women Abolitionists

Many women took part in the Abolition Movement

Sojourner Truth was one of the key women in the movement and she spoke out to women

Lucretia Mott, Sarah Angelina Grimke, Harriet Beecher Stowe(wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin), and Lydia Maria Child also helped the slaves directly or indirectly

The Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad was used in trying to help slaves escape from masters in the nightAbolitionists used their homes to hide slavesMore than 1,000 slaves escaped a yearIt was very daring and very dangerous, but it was for a cause

Political Abolitionism

Political leaders combined political power with direct actionThe Free Soil Party concentrated on the Wilmot Proviso, which would not allow lands that have slavery in them into the UnionRepublican party clearly stated that they were running with “antislavery” in mind

Other Men

James Gillespie Briney was a slaveholder, then he released his slaves and became an abolitionist

He was a candidate for the Liberty Party

Other men that contributed was James Forton, Robert Purvis and Wendell Phillips

Nation FeltIn the beginning, the Nation as a whole, was more for slavery The North began to realize that slavery was immoral and was uselessThe South could profit from slavery, so they acted like there was nothing wrong with itThis disagreement created a great deal of discomfort in the Nation and eventually led to the Civil War

“The Negro’s Complaint”by Maria Stewart

Fleecy locks and black complexion,Cannot forfeit nature's claim;Skins may differ, but affectionDwells in white and black the same.Why did all-creating nature,Make the plant for which we toil?Sighs must fan it, tears must water,Sweat of ours must dress the soil.

“The Slave Mother”Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.

Saw you the sad, imploring eye? Its every glance was pain, As if a storm of agony Were sweeping through the brain. She is a mother pale with fear, Her boy clings to her side, And in her kyrtle vainly tries His trembling form to hide.

“Am I Not A Man and A Brother?”

The End