Objectives Describe the lives of enslaved people. Identify the leaders and activities of the abolitionist movement. Explain why many Americans opposed the abolition of slavery.

Terms and People abolitionists – people who spoke out to end slavery Nat Turner – leader of the best-known slave revolt against owners in the first half of the 1800s underground railroad – a secret organized network of people who hid runaway slaves as they headed North Harriet Tubman – a courageous “conductor” of the underground railroad who led hundreds of slaves to freedom

Terms and People (continued) William Lloyd Garrison – the most influential abolitionist who published a newspaper called The Liberator Frederick Douglass – an escaped slave who became an eloquent speaker at abolitionist meetings Angelina and Sarah Grimké – daughters of a southern slaveholder who became vocal abolitionists 3

Terms and People (continued) Henry David Thoreau – a writer and abolitionist who went to jail for refusing to pay a tax he felt supported slavery civil disobedience – the right of individuals to refuse to obey laws that they feel are unjust

What methods did Americans use to oppose slavery? As reformers tried to improve American life in the mid-1800s, some turned their attention to exploited and enslaved African Americans. The efforts of these reformers led to increasing division between the North and the South.

Slavery ended completely in the North during the 1800s Slavery ended completely in the North during the 1800s. It remained an institution in the South. Two million Africans and African Americans were held as slaves in the South. • They worked at backbreaking tasks and could be beaten at any time. Families were separated. • Some enslaved people gave up hope; others found comfort in family and religion.

There was some resistance from slaves against their oppressors. There were 200 slave revolts during the first half of the 1800s. The most significant was led by Nat Turner in 1831. 7

The underground railroad developed to help slaves escape to freedom. It was made up of a loose network of “conductors” that hid runaway slaves. One of the best known conductors was Harriet Tubman. 8

This is a map of the underground railroad routes from slave states to free.

A growing number of Americans wanted to end slavery A growing number of Americans wanted to end slavery. They were called abolitionists. William Lloyd Garrison published an antislavery newspaper called The Liberator. Frederick Douglass, who was born into slavery, escaped and spoke out eloquently against it. Angelina and Sarah Grimké moved north and became outspoken abolitionists. Henry David Thoreau refused to pay a tax he believed supported slavery. 10

Civil disobedience was defined by Thoreau as the right of people to refuse to obey laws that they find unjust. Many people were against abolishing slavery. Southerners argued it formed the foundation of their economy. Abolitionists became organized, holding meetings and giving lectures across the country. 11

The slavery issue divided America. The abolition movement was small but vocal. It faced resistance in the North and the South. A Gag Rule passed by Congress prohibited debates on the subject. The issue still widened differences between the North and South.