1. The Abolitionist Movement

2. Abolition What is abolition? Definition: The end of slavery
A movement that began in the 1830s
Abolitionists argued that enslaved African Americans should be freed immediately
In the eyes of Abolitionists, slavery was an enormous evil of which the country needed to repent

3. David Walker & Walker’s Appeal

4. David Walker & Walker’s Appeal
The first well-known abolitionist
A free African American from North Carolina
Published Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World
Advocated violence and rebellion as the only way to end slavery

5. William Lloyd Garrison

6. William Lloyd Garrison
Responsible for rapid spread of abolitionist movement
Founded Boston’s antislavery newspaper, The Liberator
Believed slavery was immoral and slaveholders were evil
Only option = immediate emancipation, or freeing of all enslaved people

7. Sarah and Angelina Grimke
Grimke Sisters
Sarah and Angelina Grimke

8. The Grimke Sisters From South Carolina (father was a plantation owner)
Moved North to work openly against slavery
Also fought for women’s rights

9. Frederick Douglass

10. Frederick Douglass Escaped slave from Maryland
Published The North Star, an antislavery newspaper
Published an autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
One of the most prominent African American figures of the movement

11. Sojourner Truth

12. Sojourner Truth Gained freedom in 1827
Gave well-spoken, joyous and deeply religious speeches that drew large crowds
Engaged listeners with humor, personal stories, contagious singing and strong antislavery messages

13. Nat Turner

14. Nat Turner Southern slave who led an uprising in 1831
Killed over 50 Virginians
Rebellion caused Southern slave owners to tighten control of blacks and demand the suppression of abolitionist material

15. Reaction to Abolitionist Movement
Northern Reaction
Feared large migration of African Americans to the North
Feared an upset of the social system would lead to war with the South
Many Northerners sympathized with slaves – did not want to return them to slave owners
Southern Reaction
Slave holders defended slavery as vital to their economic stability
Argued slaves enjoyed a close, friendly relationship with their owners
Demanded suppression of abolitionist material

16. Practice Questions
All of the following were leaders in abolitionism EXCEPT
Frederick Douglass
The Grimké sisters
John C. Calhoun
William Lloyd Garrison

17. Practice Questions
All of these methods were used during the abolitionist movement to spread the message EXCEPT
Speeches
Newspapers
Rebellions
Negotiations with Plantation owners