Slavery was known to be a time period of where brutal and merciless acts upon African Americans was common. It was when a person owned someone or a group of people and controlled what they did, where they lived, and how they worked. However, some people thought slavery was unfair and unjust to African Americans because of the way they were treated by their owners. As a result the Abolition movement was created. This was a movement made in order to end slavery around the world including in a nation that had a common saying, “all men are created equal.” The Abolition movement influenced many individuals to take a stand and change people’s way of thinking, in order to create change in society.
Slavery first started in Jamestown, Virginia in 1619 with slaves that were called the “20 and Odd” who were sold for goods. In addition to this, in 1636 a slave ship named Desire began the slave trade between Britain American colonies and Africa. Many colonist were unsure and uneasy with the idea of slavery and by the late 1700’s some states such as Delaware and Virginia did not allow the importation of slavery. In fact, Vermont was the first state to eradicate slavery. Even though New Englanders made wealth off of slavery before the importation of slaves became illegal, America became a source for abolition growth. Abolition is the action of removing or eradicating a system or practice, in this case slavery. It became so great that there were pamphlets and newspapers informing other people about how slavery was discriminating. In 1820, states such as South Carolina were still pro-slavery and they instituted consequences to anyone that had anti-slavery material in South Carolina
Abolition spread far and wide, changing everyone’s mindset of sl...
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...how slavery is cruel and that freedom is possible. Political and democratic views of this document would be Henry Clay’s presidency and how he for slavery while Richardson was aimed at liberty. Religious and moral views of this document would be how Richardson discussed his life as a slave and how individuals that become slaves develop a different mindset. Traditionally, Richardson explains what slavery is and how harsh it was back then for African Americans. Common sense that was analyzed by Richardson would be how he understood the freedom of slavery and understanding that there is more you can achieve if you’re willing to take risks.
In retrospect, during the 1800’s abolition was fought hard for and many individual changed peoples view on slavery itself. People persuaded others using speeches, personal experiences, newspapers, books, action, and many other uses.
The scope of the investigation is limited to the Second Great Awakening and the American Abolitionist Movement from 1830-1839, with the exception of some foundational knowledge of the movement prior to 1830 to highlight the changes within the movement in the 1830s. The investigation included an exploration of various letters, lectures, and sermons by leading abolitionists from the time period and a variety of secondary sources analyzing the Second Great Awakening and the Abolitionist Movement from 1830-1839.
Slavery was an issue in early America that plagued the African Americans who were forced into the position. It was believed, in the beginning, that the African Americans were happy to be enslaved, that it was their natural place. Many of the slaves that were taken from Africa couldn’t be more distraught with being sold into slavery but overtime as the older generation that had memories of freedom were replaced by the generation that only knew servitude. This generation was socialized into their position of enslavement, a lack of self-worth, and no access to education gave the illusion of happiness. Luckily around this time white Americans, mostly Northern, saw how wrong these inequalities were and began demanding the abolition of slavery. This
The antislavery movement before 1830s was menial, partially slow and not well supported. The antislavery movement before the 1830s was the spark of fire that led to the abolitionist acts after the 1830s. Abolitionism of the 1830s and on led to a great movement in America. The division of a country came at hand, leading up to various riots white men themselves killing each other over the freeing of slaves. The subjugated Negros fighting for a true place in American society under the hands of various abolitionist leaders who gave it all to stand up for the African Americans. They were to be heard all over the union causing divisions and discomfort throughout a close to dividing nation. Abolitionist movement after the 1830s had a greater impact on the nation as a whole with a spark of the antislavery acts before the 1830s and the failure of this movement, the very well spoken and praised leaders, and the well spoken and touching propaganda against slavery.
The abolition of slavery started in 1777. In the North the abolition of slavery was the first to start. But, in the South it started during the 1800’s. The Northern states gave blacks some freedom, unlike the Southern states. The national population was 31,000,000 and four and one-half, were African American. Free african males had some limits with their freedom. There were many political, social, or economic restrictions placed on the freedom of free blacks in the North, but the three most important are, Political and Judicial Rights, Social Freedom, and Economic.
The antebellum American antislavery movement began in the 1820s and was sustained over 4 decades by organizations, publications, and small acts of resistance that challenged the legally protected and powerful institution of slavery and the more insidious enemy of black equality, racism. Abolitionists were always a radical minority even in the free states of the North, and the movement was never comprised of a single group of people with unified motivations, goals, and methods. Rather, the movement was fraught with ambiguity over who its leaders would be, how they would go about fighting the institution of slavery, and what the future would be like for black Americans.
Black and white abolitionists shared common assumptions about the evil of slavery, the "virtue of moral reform", and the certainty of human progress"(1). Schor, Garnet,1877, & Lanngston, 1989). This shared understanding provided "the basic for the interracial solidarity" and cooperation so vital in the crusade against slavery"(2). (Schor and Garnet, 1877). But blacks also brought a distinct perspective to the antislavery movement. Their abolitionism was shaped profoundly by their personal experience and racial oppression. Unlike most white abolitionists, they conceived of antidlavery as an all-encompassion struggle for racial equality, and they took a more pragramatic, less doctrinaire approach to antislavery tactics. The contrast between the two abolitionists -- black and white -- become increasingly apparent in the 1840s and 1850s as black expressed a growing militancy, asserted greater independence, and called for racially exclusive organization and initiatives.
The movement against slavery had begun before the mid-nineteenth century; it was not new to anyone. However during the mid-nineteenth century the movements against slavery increased and gained more force. These movements were centered specifically towards the slavery system in the South. Before the 1830’s there were antislavery movements; after the 1830’s, abolitionist movements began. Despite the fact that both were against the same issue, both had different impacts on the nation. One was more peaceful, the other was considered fanatical and dangerous because of those who supported it.
“Sincerely and earnestly hoping that this little book may do something toward throwing light on the American slave system, and hastening the glad day of deliverance to the millions of my brethren in bonds … relying upon the power of truth, love, and justice, for success in my … efforts and solemnly pledging myself anew to the sacred cause, I subscribe myself” (Douglass 76). With these words, Frederick Douglass (c. 1817-1895), an emancipated slave with no formal education, ends one of the greatest pieces of propaganda of the 19th century America: that slavery is good for the slave. He writes his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave, as an abolitionist tool to shape his northern audience’s view of southern slaveholders. Through personal anecdotes, Douglass draws an accurate picture of slave life. Simultaneously, he chooses these events for how they will affect the northern audience’s opinion of southern slaveholders (Quarles ii). By using the written word, Douglass targets educated northern whites because they were the only group capable of changing the status quo. Illiterate northern whites and free northern blacks could not vote, while white Southerners would not vote because they did not want change. For that reason, Douglass used his life story as an instrument to promote abolition among literate northern whites (vi).
Every great civilization or country has had at least one dirty little time in their history that all would rather forget. America knows this feeling well, especially within the 19th century, the slave era. America was divided, the North was generally against slavery and all for letting the African Americans roam free in a colony in Africa. The South on the other hand viewed African Americans as tools, essential to the economy and work, however still just tools. Tools to be bought a sold and driven until the breaking point just like every other implement in the shed. Fast-forward to the 21st century, slavery is gone from America and has become that dirty period of time that is spoken about in whispers. A question of immeasurable proportions arises, how were the incredibly difficult slave owners of the South get convinced that slavery was bad? The largest answer is the power of rhetoric, otherwise known as the written word. Two books played the largest role in molding of American society, Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe and The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas by none other than Frederick Douglas himself. Important stylistic and rhetorical choices made by Douglas and Stowe greatly affected change in the major political and moral issue of slavery in 19th century America in two different ways, through politics via the male society (Douglas) and through the home front via religious and moral cases made to women (Stowe).
Douglass’s oratorical style, rhetorical abilities and rational arguments challenged his audiences to reflect on the cruelty of slavery, and ultimately the support of abolition (Prioleau, 2003). An undeniable force for Douglass was his status as a self-freed slave and literate black man, which made credible evidence of his ability to lead the abolition movement. Equal Rights of 18th Century The abolitionist movement called for the immediate emancipation of all slaves and an end to racial discrimination. The Second Great Awakening was fueled by religious fervor and a party of radical abolitionists who prompted many people to emancipate slavery based on religious beliefs.
Abolitionism in the US was the movement before and during the Civil War to end slavery. Abolitionism was a successful attempt to end people trading slaves and to free them. Most abolitionists thought that keeping slaves and torturing them was a sin and was wrong, because some masters didn't treat them as humans should be treated. Many different important figures helped this movement such as speakers like Frederick Douglass, Wendell Phillips, and Lucy Stone. William Garrison also was a big activist, Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation, Dred Scott and his famous court case, and former slave, Harriet Tubman also creating the Underground Railroad. Women were involved in the movement too, from the beginning to end. They joined as organizers and
Abolitionism was an anti-slavery act carried out by those who believed holding slaves in a household was either unjust or a sin. Abolition had been present in the United States for years and had been the cause of many debates between the North and South but the Second Great Awakening added fuel to the fire urging even more people to join the cause. Before this, Northerners did not concern themselves with the issues of the south because of the great distance between them, but once the issue became intermingled with religion the North became deeply involved. Slavery was seen as sin because of the abuse and ...
It may appear that in today’s America, slavery is looked down upon, and we’ve developed a long way from the past. However, before and during the Abolitionists Movement there were strong arguments for both sides of the subject. ("Arguments and Justifications: The Abolition of Slavery Project.") The gradual dominance in anti-slavery would not have been possible if people had not risked their lives and social standings to fight for the racial, social, legal, and political liberation for slaves. William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, and the Grimke sisters are all prime examples of people who challenged pro-slavery, and protested the idea that one race was superior to another. Although abolitionists fought for their beliefs during this movement in the 1830s up to the year 1870 for the immediate emancipation of slaves, the ending of racial prejudice and segregation would not be possible if not by the influence of those courageous people, and should continue to be reinforced in today’s society. ("Civil Rights Movement.")
Slavery in America was a problem. Most people did not see it but there was a select few who saw through the veil and into the evil of slavery. They hesitantly proposed that slavery be abolished. Soon they became increasingly loud about their complaints. Their main argument was that it said in the constitution that “all men are created equal.” Slavery was against the constitution that America was founded on and should be abolished. These people were called “Abolitionists.”
Knowles, H. J. (2007). The Constitution and Slavery: A Special Relationship. Slavery & Abolition, 28(3), 309-328. doi:10.1080/01440390701685514