Each era is remembered for something: 1920’s – Roaring Twenties, Ford Model T 1930’s – The Great Depression 1950’s – car, tv, rock n’ roll, rise of middle class America 1960’s – Space Race, Civil Rights 1970’s – Vietnam, protests 2014?

Slavery This topic defined this era… Despite the topic being so clear to us today… At the time, there were many sides to the story, many opinions – Southerners, Northerners, free African Americans, business owners, workers, plantation owners, Quakers, indentured servants, poor whites – What were other countries doing? GB? France? – Politicians hesitant to lay down the law (fearing the loss of their own job) – Fear of ruining the economy

Slavery It took hundreds of years to build up to the conclusion of overt slavery in America – Some argue covert forms of slavery still exist today around the world dex.html dex.html

Slavery At the debate’s height, thousands spoke out against slavery. Equally thousands spoke out as to why it is needed for the success of the nation. Abolishing slavery became a focus. – To abolish To put an end to something An abolitionist – A person who favors the ending of a practice or institution (ex. slavery)

Abolitionist The movement stalled many times along the way – Due to social concerns, economics, and politics The institution of slavery had been going on for 25 centuries (prior to it coming to America), why would we change this now? Wouldn’t ending slavery devastate the cotton economy of the South (and therefore, the manufacturing industry of the North)? Who was going to be the politician that not only morally opposed slavery but PROPOSED a law to end slavery? – Risk losing their job (constituents may not vote him into office again) – Risk of life/death (lynched or attacked by southerners)

Abolitionist The movement stalled even among the very people that wanted to end slavery… Abolitionists splintered themselves about: – How to end slavery (state govt. or federal govt.)? – To what degree should slavery be stopped (partially, entirely, gradually, all at once)? – Who will take care of all these newly freed persons? – Where will they all go? – etc.

Abolitionists The fight was long and messy 1865 – Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery 1868 – Fourteenth Amendment granted equal citizenship under the law to anyone born in the United States 1870 – Fifteenth Amendment right to vote: black, adult males 1960’s – Civil Rights movement – Equality in pay, jobs, education, etc. – Equal opportunity