The Abolition Movement
The Abolition Reform Movement in 19th Century America
Goals and Tactics
slavery and how it goes against the ways of Christ. Because this occurred during the Second Great Awakening, many people started to support these Abolitionists. With more supporters came more anti-Abolitionist. These people would riot against these Abolitionists. These riots forced some free slaves to head for Canada.
The Abolitionists or American Anti-Slavery Society knew they needed a new tactic in order to succeed in the emancipation of slaves. Abolitionists felt if they were to educate Blacks, then Whites would not feel that African Americans were entirely inferior to them. Unfortunately, once they began attempting this tactic, even more riots occurred. Northerners became frightened that educated Blacks would end up stealing their jobs and ruining their economy. Abolitionists found it extremely difficult to change the views of White Northerners. Although these initial attempts failed, they succeeded in bringing the Abolition movement to the forefront of American political debates.
Leaders of the Movement
-December 10, 1805-May 24, 1879
-Editor of The Liberator, an Abolitionist newspaper
-Founder of the American Anti-Slavery Movement
-Wanted immediate emancipation of slaves
-Also a prominent figure for women's rights
Harriet Beecher Stowe
-June 14, 1811 – July 1, 1896
-Wrote "Uncle Tom's Cabin", a novel about life as an African-American slave
-Her novel was gained support in the North, and hatred in the South
-She was famous also for her support of the emancipation of slaves
Frederick Douglass
-February 1818–February 20, 1895
-Former slave
-Nation's most powerful Anti-Slavery speaker
-Wrote the book, "Narrative in the Life of Frederick Douglass"
-Leader of the Abolitionist Movement
Harriet Tubman
-1820-March 10, 1913
-Born into slavery, escaped and helped others escape
-Helped more than 350 slaves escape through the underground railroad
-Union spy during the Civil War
-Known as a "conductor" on the underground railroad
-African-American Abolitionist
John Brown
-May 9, 1800 – December 2, 1859
-Believed that the only way to overthrow slavery was through an armed uprising
-Started a slavery uprising in Harper's Valley, Virginia
-Killed 5 pro-slavery men in Kansas, became known as the Pottawatomie Massacre
-Known as America's first domestic terrorist
Achievements
-Virginia legislature launches an intense debate on abolishing slavery
-In response to Ohio's "Black Laws" restricting African American freedom, blacks migrate north to establish free black colonies in Canada, which becomes an important refuge for fugitive slaves
-The first National Negro Convention convenes in Philadelphia
1831
-William Lloyd Garrison of Boston begins publishing The Liberator, the most famous anti-slavery newspaper
1833
-American Antislavery Society, led by William Lloyd Garrison, is organized in Philadelphia. They campaign for African-American rights for the next 3 decades
1835
-Abolitionists launch a campaign flooding Congress with antislavery petitions.
1837
-Philadelphia blacks, under the leadership of well-to-do Robert Purvis, organize the Vigilance Committee to aid and assist fugitive slaves
-Founding of the Institute for Colored Youth, which later became Cheyney University, one of the earliest historically black colleges in the United States
1839
-Abolitionists form the Liberty Party to promote political action against slavery
1845
-Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave is published in Boston, launching the public career of the most notable black American spokesman of the 19th Century.
1849
-Harriet Tubman escapes from slavery. She becomes a major conductor on the Underground Railroad, as well as an advocate for Women's Rights
1857
-The Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision declares blacks, free or slave, have no citizenship rights
1860s
-The Civil War erupts as Lincoln is elected to President, and puts into effect the Emancipation Proclamation banning slavery