Slavery and Abolition

Anti-Slavery Movement Abolition: Movement to end slavery and free the slaves; “Abolish” slavery Immediate Emancipation: To free the slaves right now without attempting to compensate slave owners

Early forms of Anti-Slavery Gradual Emancipation

Early forms of Anti- slavery American Colonization Society Encouraged Black EMIGRATION “Back to Africa” Liberia Obvious arguments against this form of anti-slavery Majority of slaves have no connection to Africa James Forten’s Quote on page 144

James Forten “Here I have dwelt until I am nearly Sixty years of age, and have brought up and educated a family….Yet some ingenious gentlemen have recently discovered that I am still an African; that a continent three thousand miles, and more, from the place where I was born, is my native country. And I am advised to go home….Perhaps If I should only be set on the shore of that distant land, I should recognize all I might see there, and run at once to the old hut where my forefathers lived a hundred years ago.”

William Lloyd Garrison 1831 Created his own Abolitionist Newspaper: The Liberator Gave an uncompromising demand: Immediate Emancipation Greatly increases Northern support for abolition Also increases tension between anti-slavery advocates and those who saw the issue as divisive Garrison faced numerous physical attacks and threats to his life throughout the pre-Civil War period.

Famous Ex-Slave who escaped from Maryland Frederick Douglass Famous Ex-Slave who escaped from Maryland Self-taught how to read Wrote famous memoirs “I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.” “No man can put a chain about the ankle of his fellow man without at last finding the other end fastened about his own neck.”

1847 Began his own anti-slavery newspaper: The North Star Frederick Douglass 1847 Began his own anti-slavery newspaper: The North Star Strong ally of Garrison for many years Broke with Garrison in advocating ANY form of abolition In other words, Douglass believed that any steps towards emancipation is positive; even gradual emancipation But do NOT make the mistake of thinking this means he didn’t believe in immediate emancipation. He did. Traveled extensively through England and Ireland. Became an international figure in the fight to end slavery

Slavery as a National Issue In the 1700’s: Most slaves were male and had recently arrived from the Caribbean or Africa, and spoke numerous languages other than English. By the mid-1800’s : Male and Female slaves in equal number; Majority had been born in America and spoke English. Very few, but some, slaves were allowed to work Saturday afternoons, and Sundays for wages; and could then buy their own freedom after many years. By the 1840’s most states passed laws preventing this. Also made educating slaves illegal. Nat Turner’s Rebellion: large scale slave uprising. Embarrassing for the south due to the fact that they try to pass off the myth that slaves are happy. Pro-slavery advocates begin to use the bible to argue in favor of slavery Exodus and Leviticus have many passages describing the manner and condition in which the decedents of Abraham were holders of slaves. (referred to as servants or bondsmen)