The year 1854 marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of the anti-slavery movement in the Midwest. As tensions rose over the expansion of slavery into new territories, citizens and activists began to coalesce around a powerful social and political force aimed at abolishing this...
Introduction to Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman is a name that resonates powerfully in American history. Often hailed as one of the most remarkable figures in the fight against slavery, she was not just a runaway slave; she became a beacon of hope for countless others...
Sojourner Truth, the legendary abolitionist and women’s rights advocate, delivered her famous speech “Ain’t I a Woman?” at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention in 1851. One of the most striking elements of her rhetoric is how she addressed her audience as “children.” This choice of...
Introduction Frederick Douglass is one of the most renowned figures in American history, known for his powerful abolitionist writings and speeches. His autobiography, “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave,” remains a classic of American literature and an essential text for understanding...
Frederick Douglass, a prominent African American abolitionist and social reformer, is known for his powerful speeches and writings that challenged the institution of slavery in the United States. In his works, Douglass effectively utilizes the rhetorical strategies of ethos, pathos, and logos to persuade his...
John Brown is a figure in American history who has been the subject of much debate and controversy. Some view him as a hero, a passionate abolitionist who fought for the rights of enslaved people. Others see him as a misguided fanatic, whose extreme actions...
Solomon Northup’s book Twelve Year’s a Slave covered the story of Northup himself as he was kidnapped and forced into slavery. He worked as a slave for 12 years before the government was able to locate and free him. Solomon Northup’s story was relevant when...
Freed woman Sojourner Truth, a compelling woman speaker for slavery, gives her famous speeches in many different areas. She traveled many different areas preaching about women right’s and about the evil of slavery. She claimed the Lord gave her the name, as he called upon...
During 1700s-1865, free African Americans and white abolitionists who were against slavery, developed a secret network of people who helped fugitive slaves in their escape from slavery. The people who aided the slaves were known as “conductors”. The fugitive slaves hid in private homes, churches,...
Sojourner Truth initially named Isabella Baumfree was born in Hurley New York ninety miles North of New York City seven miles west of the Hudson River in 1797 enslaved. Isabella was the property of a few slave-owners and first sold for $100 at ten years...
In October of 1841, the slave ship Creole sailed from Virginia to New Orleans, carrying a crew of 19 and 135 slaves. On November 7, 1841, as the ship approached the Bahamas, Madison Washington ran up to the deck and called on the other slaves...
John Brown experienced many failed business enterprises and bankruptcy, but he is best remembered for his dedication to abolish slavery in the US. Brown’s early life will later influence his abolitionism. His family had extreme anti-slavery views. When Brown was twelve years old, he was...
Women’s Rights and Abolitionism Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a long-time advocate of women’s rights, in a speech to the American Anti-Slavery Society said, “Yes, this is the only organization on God’s footstool where the humanity of women is recognized, and these are the only men who...
People appear to be scared of things they don’t have knowledge of. Knowledge is what contributes to liberation. So once people understand their fears, they’re going to set them free in life. Freedom is the life slaves would like to experience. Living without anyone’s threat....
Cowper, Blake and Barbauld: Noble Savages in a Post-Colonial Context William Cowper, William Blake, and Anna Barbauld, in their poetry on race and abolitionism, wrote about both the humanity of racialized peoples and the greed and evil of slavery. In post-colonialism, it is important to...
Emerging from the post-war imperial defeat, in a milieu where national pride was perpetually receding, the abolitionist campaign was able to gain momentum in the various echelons of society due to the multifarious advancements that it had the potential to enable. Various factors were integral...
Pauli Murray was a champion for human and civil rights who was brought up in Durham. Her bits of knowledge and vision keep on resounding actually in our times. As a lawyer, antiquarian, poet, teacher, instructor and Episcopal minister, she worked all of her life...
The Free State of Jones delineates the struggle and journey of many on their road to achieve respect, and citizenship in America. Between 1862-1876 issues regarding class, racial equality, nationality and patriotism were especially present in the Southern states of America (Footnote TFSOJ). During these...
Throughout his text, Equiano’s definition of abolition desired to end the slave trade while reforming slavery into a more considerate, cordial institution. Furthermore, this was illustrated throughout the novel because although Equiano was a slave himself, he believed in private property. In addition, he is...
Introduction John Brown was an avid abolitionist in the 1800s, making abolishing slavery his main goal in life. Throughout John Brown’s years, it can be seen that he had always had a different viewpoint than most and his viewpoint stood until his execution. John Brown...
“If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down, these women together ought to be able to turn it right again.” Sojourner Truth is remembered as perhaps the most influential figure in the abolition and women’s rights movements....
Sojourner Truth Outline Introduction Introduction to Sojourner Truth’s speech “Ain’t I a Woman” Mention of its historical context and significance Statement of the essay’s purpose: analyzing the effectiveness of rhetorical strategies in the speech Connecting to the Audience Ethos: Discussion of how Truth uses her...
Living in the 21st century, it would be the norm to assume that we are past the horrors of world wars, slavery, and other abhorrent events because we assume that we have learnt from our past mistakes. For a long time now, slavery in the...
Slavery started in 1619, when a Dutch ship brought 20 African slaves ashore in the British colony of Jamestown, Virginia. Throughout the 17th century, European settlers in North America turned to African slaves as a cheaper, more plentiful labor source than indentured servants, who were...
Introduction Throughout history, societies have been structured with clear social and economic hierarchies. Slavery, particularly in the Southern United States, was defended by many as an institution that upheld economic stability, social order, and even divine mandate. This essay reflects on the arguments historically made...
The abolitionist movement, which emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries, stands as a testament to the power of collective action, moral conviction, and the unwavering pursuit of justice. This transformative social and political movement was dedicated to the eradication of slavery, a deeply entrenched...
Abolitionism
Slavery
Key People
William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, Horace Greeley, William Wilberforce, Frances Wright
What Is an Abolitionism?
Abolitionism, or the abolitionist movement, was the movement to end slavery. Abolitionists sought the immediate and full emancipation of all enslaved people. Abolitionism was a historic movement that sought to end the Atlantic slave trade and liberate the enslaved people.
Spread of the Movement
There were relatively few protests against the practice of slavery until the 1700s. Enlightenment thinkers argued that slavery was morally wrong. The abolitionist movement began as a more organized, radical and immediate effort to end slavery after the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which allowed Missouri to become a slave state. It officially emerged around 1830. Soon, abolitionism started in states like New York and Massachusetts and spread to other Northern states.
The Civil War and Its Aftermath
As abolitionism was illegal in the South, it caused increasing friction between states in the North and the slave-owning South. President Abraham Lincoln opposed slavery, and his Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 freed enslaved people in areas of the rebellion. Later, the Thirteenth Amendment officially abolished all forms of slavery in the United States.
