The document discusses the development of the antislavery movement in the United States from the late 1700s to the 1840s. It describes how abolitionist societies formed in the North starting in the 1790s to advocate ending slavery. Abolitionists had both religious and political reasons for opposing slavery, believing slavery violated principles of equality and natural rights. The movement grew more organized over time, with abolitionists using newspapers, speeches, and the Underground Railroad to help slaves escape to freedom. Key figures included Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and William Lloyd Garrison. Disagreements also emerged within the movement over appropriate tactics and the role of political action.

1. Chapter 15.2 pgs. 350-354 How did the antislavery movement develop?

2. Early Efforts Against Slavery Few colonists opposed slavery but the real movement didn’t start until after the Revolutionary War. By the 1790’s there were several antislavery societies An Abolitionist is what?

3. Early Efforts Abolition – The movement to end slavery, really began in late 1700’s 1800’s – Abolitionist views begin to spread especially in the North Believed it was wrong to own another person Believed slavery should be abolished for different reasons

4. Beliefs for ending Slavery Religious reasons – Since colonial days Quakers were against slavery. First public protest against slavery was led by a group of Philadelphia Quakers in 1688 Believed all people equal before God It was a sin to own another person

5. Beliefs Political reasons – Declaration of Independence said all people are endowed with unalienable rights-life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Society not democratic if slavery existed

6. Beliefs Some against slavery due to own experiences Black people, slave and free, hated the system Believed any system that allowed slavery was unjust and inhumane

7. North and South By 1804 most North abolished slavery 1807 Congress banned the importation of African slaves into the United States Abolitionist began to demand a law ending slavery in the South South still supported it however Believed health of Southern economy depended on slave labor Believed freeing the slaves would disrupt southern society

8. Liberia Abolitionists sought ways to free slaves and compensate– pay the slaveholders for their losses Groups raised money to pay owners Some supported colonization – send former slaves to Africa

9. Liberia 1817 American Colonization Society President Monroe helps group buy a strip of land in West Africa Liberia established 1822 1 st recruited free blacks Claimed it was a way for blacks to gain greater freedom and independence 1827 few owners freed slaves and allowed them to go to Liberia

10. Liberia Some blacks felt they would be denied their full rights in the U.S. Felt colonization was a way to a better life Paul Cuffe especially Cuffe a wealthy merchant, had sent 38 people to Africa before the ACS was formed Died before he could carry out his entire plan of colonization

11. Blacks Oppose Most blacks opposed idea Most ACS’s influential members were southern planters who favored slavery Felt these members just wanted to get rid of free blacks to tighten hold on slavery Blacks spoke out in speeches and pamphlets stating they were in the United States to stay

12. Question?? Why was Liberia established?

13. Abolitionists Evolve Free blacks backbone of antislavery movement Antislavery societies formed Filed lawsuits, held lectures, gave speeches, printed pamphlets, printed newspapers, submitted petitions to Congress, and even broke the law to reach their goals

14. Abolitionists Samuel Cornish and John Russworm – 1827 1 st black newspaper “Freedom’s Journal” David Walker – 1829 printed a pamphlet urging slaves to revolt. “An Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World”. Walker warned whites “We must and shall be Free…” Pamphlets made their way in to the south

15. Abolitionists Southerners offered a reward for Walker’s capture (Georgia Legislature offered $10,000) Walker heard his life was in danger but would not run away Shortly afterwards, he mysteriously was found dead

16. More Abolitionists William Lloyd Garrison – 1831 published an abolitionist newspaper “The Liberator” Opposed violence, but wanted immediate freeing of slaves Rejected the idea of compensating owners Famous quote “ … I will be Heard” Many people hated his views both north and south Was captured and drug to a park to be hung in Boston 1834 until the mayor saved him Some blamed Garrison for Nat Turner’s bloody revolt

17. Still More 1833 American Anti-Slavery Society formed by 1840 this group had more than 250,000 members in 15 states Grimke Sisters (Sarah and Angelina) Led public speeches about antislavery Angelina’s husband Theodore Weld also campaigned to end slavery Sent petitions to Congress Proslavery Congressmen passed gag rules to prevent the reading of his petitions in Congress John Q. Adams ignored the gag and read them anyways and introduced an amendment to abolish slavery

18. And Still More!! J.Q. Adams also defended a group of Africans who rebelled on the slave ship “Amistad”. He successfully argued their case before the Supreme Court in 1841, and in 1842 the Africans returned home By 1840 a network of nearly 2,000 societies stretched across the North including black and white members

19. Eyewitnesses to Slavery Fredrick Douglass – 1838 escaped Maryland and fled to Massachusetts Great speaker, people who opposed abolition spread rumors that he was so good there was no way he was ever a slave. To prove them wrong in 1845 published an autobiography that vividly narrated his experiences After releasing his autobiography he feared recapture so he fled for 2 years to speak in Great Britain and Ireland Upon returning, bought his freedom and published an antislavery newspaper Most effective of all abolitionist speakers

20. Eyewitness Sojourner Truth– original name Isabella born in New York 1827 fled her owners to live with Quakers who set her free They also helped her win a court case to recover her young son Changed her name in 1843 to reflect her work. She was a devout Christian. Believed God had given her a special mission to speak against injustice Sojourn means to stay temporarily in a place Traveled throughout the north telling her story and vowing for freedom for slaves

21. Other Eyewitnesses William Wells Brown – famous lecturer and writer also escaped slavery. Like Douglass went to England to speak James Forten – born into freedom. Philadelphia businessman owned own sail making company. Contributed large amounts of money to Garrison

22. Another Key Speaker Theodore D. Weld – Minister who gave moving sermons. Even converted entire communities.

23. Underground Railroad Abolitionists directly helped slaves escape Many escaped on the underground RR It was a network of people who helped runaway slaves reach safety Leaders on the RR were known as conductors Led slaves to stations – homes of people who secretly sheltered the runaways Slaves fled in the night house to house. Were helped along the way by other slaves, free blacks, and sympathetic whites with food, shelter, and clothing Some say between 30,000 and 100,000 slaves traveled the RR

24. Conductors Most famous Harriet Tubman Born into slavery in Maryland. At 13 she tried saving another slave from punishment and was struck over the head by the master with a two pound weight fracturing her skull. She suffered from drowsiness the rest of her life. 1849 escaped from her owner before she was to be sold

25. Tubman’s Crusades Made 19 journeys into the south to help others escape Helped more than 300 slaves gain freedom Carried a pistol to frighten off slave hunters Carried medicine to quiet crying babies Enemies offered $40,000 for her capture Threatened with death any passenger who thought of surrender or attempted to return “ I never run my train off the track and I never lost a passenger” declared Tubman

26. Tubman and more Tubman helped to guide 6 of her brothers, her elderly parents, and a number of other relatives to freedom. During the Civil War, she served as a nurse, scout, and spy for the Union. Levi Coffin – Quaker from Indiana President of the RR. Often housed runaways in his home when others couldn’t.

27. RR today The Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act passed by Congress in 1998. Instructed the National Park Service to identify and locate important places along the RR By 1999 about 3 dozen sites located. Each marked by a plaque

28. Question?? How did abolitionists help in the Underground RR??

29. Movement is Split Members have different ideas and opinions Garrison took an aggressive stand (militant) Attacked church leaders and others who didn’t speak against slavery Garrison believed North should separate from the South Felt abolitionists should refuse to vote, hold office, or take any political action as long as slavery existed Disagreed with the Constitution

30. Split Others felt political action was necessary Disagreed with Garrison’s effort to give women equal rights in the Amer. Anti-Slavery Society. 1839 many broke off and started own organization Formed Liberty Party – antislavery political party Nominated James G. Birney for president Lost election but made abolition important political issue

31. Militant Action Some even called for militant action such as Henry Highland Garnet. Former slave from Maryland Believed laws protecting slavery should be defied

32. Question?? How were William Lloyd Garrison’s activities different from those of the Liberty Party?