There were many people that had a huge impact on the Abolition Movement in the 1800’s. Some of those people started groups to speak out against slavery and others stated and formed riots to express their thoughts and feelings about slavery. The Abolition Movement was a big step for the United States in the early to mid 1800’s. Benjamin Franklin had a huge part in the Abolitionist Movement. He was a co FOunder of the National Abolitionists Society. He spoke out his opinion against slavery an was the President of the Abolitionists Society. Franklin said that he thought slave trade should be illegal and the actual holding of slavery and making them work. He spoke at many meetings such as the National Anti-Slavery Convention held in Philadelphia. Benjamin Rush also played a big role in the Abolitionists Movement. He was a Presbyterian Doctor in Philadelphia and also taught a chemistry at the local College. Rush became major abolitionists in the early 1800’s. In his efforts to aid the African American community, He was very involved in promoting the African church. This helped the Africans to cope with the white man. …show more content…
There were five states included in the Land ordinance of 1787. Some of the farmers were not happy with this ordinance because they wanted to move to the northern states for better crop growth but, they would not be able to have slaves that would help them. This was a big step of many to abolish slavery. This was very important because this was the first major step to ban slavery in more than one area. Under the northwest land ordinance of 1787, it said that the states had to reach a population of 60,000 people to be able to be treated like the 13 other original states. Ohio was the first state to reach 60,000 people. Overall, The Land Ordinance of 1787 had a huge impact in the abolishment of slavery through many
During the late 1780s, many U.S. citizens were interested in purchasing land in the Ohio River Valley area. These citizens eventually got Congress to pass the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. This ordinance gave settlers basic rights and illegalized slavery in the Ohio River Valley. There were three major parts to creating new states within the ordinance. The first section stated that when a new territory began to establish, Congress would appoint a governor, a secretary, and three judges for that territory. The second section of the Northwest Ordinance only applied to territories including a population of 5,000 free adult males. It stated that once the territory met that criteria, it could elect a legislature. The final part of the Northwest Ordinance allowed territories with 60,000 free settlers to request for statehood.
Even though Lincoln only wanted to contain slavery the Union and prevent it from expanding, Douglass decided to support the Union considering it was the lesser evil of the parties. As a supporter of the Union, he was able to convince Lincoln to allow African-Americans, slave and free, to fight in the war and end slavery. After the civil war ended and the 13th amendment were ratified, slavery was abolished. However, Douglass did not stop once he saw that slavery was abolished. Even though black men and women were now free, they continued to suffer discrimination and oppression. Douglass continued to work for the rights of black men and women who suffered discrimination as the 14th and 15th amendments were ratified. After the war he had become one of the most prominent and respected black leaders. He moved to Washington D.C., and was appointed for different government positions such as marshal of Washington, D.C. and minister to Haiti. Through his influence in these positions he continued to work for the civil rights of the free men and women.
In the 1820's, the abolitionist has not attracted many followers because there seemed to be no way to abandon slavery without another revolution. As the constitution stated that states can allow slavery, though the Northerners did not want slavery, they felt it was not their responsibility to fight against with it. State leaders such as John Adams who was against slavery, were scared to speak out against slavery as they fear to lose the support from the slave owners. During this critical period, people need a radical hero to facilitate the American Revolution.
John Brown is one abolitionist who stands out amongst the rest and has been noted as one of the most important men in the process of abolishing slavery. It was Brown’s work that sparked the revolts and fighting that would occur between the North and the South after his time. Brown can be considered a hero on account of his actions in Kentucky and Virginia. After the Turner revolt, the topic of slavery took over American politics (3,91). Congressman David Wilmot suggested that legislation prohibit slavery in new territories that were conquered from the victory in a war with Mexico (3,91).
In 1776, Delaware becomes the first state to prohibit the importation of African slaves. One year later, in 1777, Vermont becomes the first colony to abolish slavery (within Vermont’s boundaries) by state constitution. Ten years later, in 1787, slavery was prohibited in the Northwest Territory by the Northwest Ordinance. The Northwest Territory was the first organized territory of the United States. The states pertaining to the Northwest Territory: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. The abolition of slavery in the Northwest Territory led to thought held by pro-slavery southerners that the North had the edge in the Senate and The House of representatives.
Slavery was a defining factor in aiding America to become an economic powerhouse by allowing affluent plantation owners to have a source of free labor, but opposition to slavery rose in the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century. Although there were antislavery movements prior to the Revolution, the movements affected slavery in the North but made little impact in the South. It was not until 1830 that the acts against slavery became influential enough to change America’s acceptance of slavery. The abolitionist movement of 1830 had a greater impact on the nation as a whole than the antislavery movement before 1830 because it brought a revival to the topic of antislavery that seemed to be at a dead end. The abolitionist movement of 1830 was facilitated by William Lloyd Garrison and his transformation of abolition, the free black abolitionists such as Fredrick Douglass, and the emergence of abolitionist politics.
During Frederick Douglass lifetime he had a big impact on the society, which still can be understood today by looking at how the society developed during his lifetime, and even after his death. The main significance that Douglass did was through his great oral skills, which he used both as a politician, and as a lecturer. Already when Douglass was thirty-three years old he was a part of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society (MASS). Up till 1847, which was, the year when he turned twenty-nine he was one of the most well known persons in the organization. (Fanuzzi, pg. 55) The Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society was an organization that was started by William Lloyd Garrison, as can be understood through the name the organization was against slavery.
The Abolition movement pushed for the country to realize the cruelties of slavery. Harriet Tubman, an escaped runaway slave, helped over 300 African Americans get freedom. Many people published books and reports on slavery. They showed Americans, as well as a world the harshness of slavery. Some abolitionist held posts on Underground Railroad to help free slaves and even helped them hide at times.
One of the most important figures for the antislavery movement was Frederick Douglass. Douglass fought for emancipation and eventually for black men to have full citizenship Egerton, p.89) . He spread many ideas that would push black people to have similar ideas of freedom. He helped collective thinking to form on slaves. Also, Douglass said that there were sacrifices that had to be made for freedom but that “no power on earth that could deny that he had earned the right of citizenship in the United States.” (Egerton. P.36) Another very important figure was Harriet Tubman. Her actions were very distinct to the actions of Douglass, never the less both worked towards the same goal. Tubman directed the raid of Combahee Ferry. She acted as a spy and led the union army to victory. Harriet was a former slave and because of this “they would tell anything, (…) so it became important that should would accompany them (…) to control and get information” (Brandford, p.39) for the raids along rivers and other plantations. With her actions Tubman prove the previous slave representation wrong. She showed the Union Army that slaves could be helpful for battle. Tubman took many risks and opportunities to get the trust of the union
At the dawn of the 19th century, slavery in the United States faced an uncertain future. Many had predicted that Industrial America would eventually eradicate slavery, but the introduction of Eli Whitney’s cotton gin impeded those predictions. This increased the profitability of slavery as each decade passed until the time of the American Civil War. This offended most people of America, especially Northerners. People who are against slavery and are willing to take action and end the practice of slavery are known as abolitionists. These “anti-slaveryites” took huge risks and went through drastic punishments all to end the very nuisance that flawed America, slavery.
Instead of convincing American citizens from around the country that slavery was America’s largest injustice, he now was persuading people in the government and people who were originally for anti-slavery, that black men should have equal citizenship and the right to vote. His change in audience is another reason that the abolitionist's voice changed beginning in the mid 1860’s. The harsh and passionate rhetoric he was using to condemn slavery may have not been so effective or persuasive to politicians. Therefore it was in his best interest to change the approach he originally was making. A great example of this is Frederick Douglass’s first meeting with President Andrew
Benjamin Rush was a very busy man who believed in many things. He believed in women's rights, prison reform, quality education, black rights, and better treatment for the mentally ill. As many would agree, Rush made a large impact on most of the ideas he stood for. For which idea he supported most is a controversial topic, but I would argue that Rush made the largest impact when he was trying to abolish slavery and racism. He even visited the opening of an African American church and dined with those involved in the opening. He also was one of few believers that imprisoned African Americans should be released because they were wrongly convicted. Additionally, he wrote several books about supporting the antislavery movement. He tried to help
He also inspired them to escape from the bondage of slavery. The text, ‘The Abolitionists : Frederick Douglass,’ quotes, “Douglass, would come into conflict with women’s rights groups...which allowed black men to vote..”. Douglass wanted change for women. He worked hard to for colored men, mostly slaves to be able to vote. It took years upon years before black free or not were able to vote.
The Impact of the Fugitive Slave Law on Abolitionism. In his first draft of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson accused the King of Britain of violating the sacred human rights of life and liberty by promoting slavery as a means of economic development. While Congress omitted this section from the final document, it does show that slavery was an issue for the American nation from its inception. So, while it may have been established by its mother country, the roots of slavery are laid deep in American soil.
America, a land with shimmering soil where golden dust flew and a days rain of money could last you through eternity. Come, You Will make it in America. That was the common theme of those who would remove to America. It is the common hymn, the classic American rags-to-riches myth, and writers such as Benjamin Franklin and Frederick Douglass had successfully embraced it in their works.Franklin and Douglass are two writers who have quite symmetrical styles and imitative chronology of events in their life narratives.