Will Moore's
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Antislavery Movements
Leaders and Goals?
During the years before the Civil War, Abolition, played a huge role in political elections and day to day life for the average American. There were many groups and individuals that stepped up to speak out against slavery, first off is William Garrison a young white man from Boston (Anti-Slavery in the United States). Garrison spoke out against slavery calling it "cruel" and "degrading", he believed that while the North tried to take proactive steps against slavery the South was doing nothing. Garrison wrote "The Liberator" the first newspaper in the country to demand an immediate end to slavery (Digatal History). Angered by his writings the state of Georgia offered 5,000$ to any man who could bring Garrison to Georgia for trial. Abolitionist argued that slavery was illegal because it violated the natural rights to life and liberty outlined in the Declaration of Independence (Anti-slavery in the United States). Another influential group was the Free Soilers, the Free Soilers were a short lived political party that was popular in New York. The Free Soilers were lead mostly by anti-slavery members of the old Whig and Democratic parties, there main purpose as a party was to prevent slavery from expanding westward becuase they believed that it would only continue to grow exponentially if allowed to expand. The Free Soilers often worked to abolish laws that discriminated against free blacks in states such as Ohio (Free Soilers). Other abolitionist included Harriot Beecher, author of Uncle Toms's Cabin, Frederick Douglas, and Sojourner Truth. Most abolitionist were in favor of a gradual regression of slavery figuring it would die out soon anyway, it was only the free black abolitoinist that believed slavery should end immediatly (Digital History). The goals of the movement were simple, began to turn America away from a country that was dependent on slaves, in other words end slavery.
Colonization
Arguements used to defend?
Often times the arguements against slavery were simple,
such as it was unconstitutional and denied the slaves the
rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Other
simply stated that it was impossible for whites and blacks to
coexist without slavery becasue they are different people
culturally. Other arguements existed such as the slave trade
was damaging to Africa and the slaves being shipped away,
another arguement was that blacks are not inferior to
whites citing that we are all equal (John Brown pg. 22). Lastly
they stated that it
was morally wrong and that the Christian country should not
be involved in such sin.
Democratic Ideals
The Abolitionist argued along the boundries of some
democrtic ideals, they belived in oppurtunity and equality
for all wether that be equality of value or oppurtunity. They
also argued that the blacks should have social mobility
which means having the ability to move up and down on
society's totum pole. They didnt argue many democratic
ideals however because they were more worried about
freeing the slaves and not giving them all access rights (The
Unfinished Nation).
Successes during the Movement
William Garrison joined with Arthur and Lewis Tappan to form the American Anti-Slavery Society. Based out of New York City, the Society grew exponentially and within five years they had over 1,300 local chapters and over 250,000 members (Digtal History). The society pounded out newspapers, pamphlets, and letters criticizing chruches and opposing political parties that supproted slavery. They denounced the constitution saying it supported slavery yet slavery denied the blacks the very rights in the constitution. As I mentioned earlier, abolitionist, Harriot Beecher wrote an anti-slavery novel through the eyes of a suffering black slave. Many people say that this novel layed the framework for the civil war. Many people consider the Anti-Slavery movemant as something that emerged from Evangelical Protestantnism, they argue that it was a certain theology and that the newspapers, pamphlets, and petitions that came out of it were essential to the Evangelical movement (Anti-Slavery in the United States).
Success or failure?
Even though it wasnt until after the Civil War that slaves were freed and decades longer than that until they were truly treated eqaul to whites I would characterize the Anti-Slavery movements as a success. They began to raise awareness about the injustices of slavery through letters, propaganda, and newspapers. There eforts lead many to desire a America where everyone had equal oppurtunities and rights. Ultimately today, thats what makes America the greatest country in the world. No matter skin color or background you can turn yourself into a successs with hard work and a liitle luck.
Colonization was based on the beliefs that blacks were inferior to whites therefore they could not live in harmony together without slavery (Anti-Slavery in the United State). Thomas Jefferson was not alone in his ideas about colinization but his definetly speak the loudest as he is a former President. Jefferson formulated a proposal to colonize African American slaves in Africa (Anti-Slavery in the United States). Many supported this notion saying that the slaves should be freed and sent to Africa where everyone believed they belonged. They thought that this would leave only whites in the U.S. and that all the problems of race and equality would be solved. The biggest advocate for colonization was the American Colonization Society which was founded in 1816 by a group of Presbytyrian ministers. After purchasing land in West Africa anywhere between 12,000 and 20,000 slaves were freed and sent back to Africa (Digital History).