The Abolition Movement

Early Abolitionism ‘Abolitionists’ advocated the end of slavery American Colonization Society (ACS) –Founded in Virginia in 1817 –Called for gradual emancipation –Slaveholders to be compensated –Freed slaves to be taken to Africa Liberia founded 1830 –ACS fades away (but many ideas still supported) Freed slaves refuse to leave, increased profits from cotton

The Growth of Abolitionism Three factors led to growth of abolition movement in North in 1820s and 1830s –Agitation of abolitionists –The Second Great Awakening (starts 1801) inspired a reform spirit in the North Religious revivalists see need for moral regeneration, many see slavery as sin –Transcendentalism

Emerson and Thoreau as Abolitionists Emerson: " I think we must get rid of slavery or we must get rid of freedom.... If you put a chain around the neck of a slave, the other end fastens itself around your own." 1859 Thoreau went further, arguing U.S. government unworthy of allegiance: –Constitution allowed slavery and said escaped slaves had to be returned

Emerson and Thoreau as Abolitionists (3) Thoreau believed in non-violent resistance to oppose unjust laws –Ideas later embraced by Gandhi & Martin Luther King Jailed b/c he refused to pay a tax (protest slavery) There are reports Emerson visited Thoreau in jail and the following exchange took place: –Emerson: “What are you doing in there?” –Thoreau: “What are you doing out there?”

Emerson and Thoreau as Abolitionists (4) From an essay (Civil Disobedience) Thoreau wrote after his night in jail: "Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator? Why has every man a conscience then? I think that we should be men first, and subjects afterward. It is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right. The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think right."

Abolitionists William Lloyd Garrison –White abolitionist journalist –Began publishing The Liberator in 1831 –Helped to form the American Anti-Slavery Society

American Anti-Slavery Society Efforts –Sent speakers around the country –Sent petitions to Congress –Sent abolitionist propaganda to the South Reaction –Angry white mobs (North and South) opposed changes in race relations –Southern postmasters refused to deliver antislavery literature –In 1835 Andrew Jackson unsuccessfully petitioned Congress to ban the mailing of abolitionist pamphlets

Frederick Douglass Escaped from slavery in 1838 Author (Narrative published 1845) Newspaper publisher (North Star) 1847 Worked closely with ‘radicals’, particularly with the Underground Railroad –Helped about 1,000 slaves escape each year –As speaker, raised awareness of conditions for slaves

Douglass, Garrison Split Garrison believed movement should focus on reforming individuals, including slave owners Douglass believed in active participation in politics

Emerson and Thoreau as Abolitionists (2) Thoreau: "I wish my countrymen to consider, that whatever the human law may be, neither an individual nor a nation can ever commit the least act of injustice against the obscurest individual, without having to pay the penalty for it. A government which deliberately enacts injustice, and persists in it, will at length ever become the laughing-stock of the world." 1854

Responses to Abolitionism, take notes on questions below: William Harper (363) Solon Robinson (364) Charles Lyell (366) Daniel Webster (371) Abraham Lincoln (372) 1) What arguments do they make in response to Abolitionism? 2) For each, discuss the arguments you view as legitimate and those that you view as illegitimate

Video Questions 1.What was the significance of the 1830 meeting of free African Americans? 2.What did Nat Turner do and what was the wider significance? 3.What was Garrison’s philosophy and what was the response (in views and actions) to his efforts? 4.Some argued that abolishing slavery would hurt the U.S. Describe the argument. 5.How does slavery impact white children, according to the film? 6.What difficulties did African Americans face when they moved North? 7.How did slave fugitives impact the Abolitionist movement? 8.How did the Abolitionists connect back to the Revolution?