If the Union must be dissolved slavery is precisely the question upon which it ought to break John Quincy Adams

Background of Abolitionists MishMosh of Beliefs Reformers.Reformers. –Saw slavery as a black mark on American society and a limiting our growth. –Mostly came from the middle-class, who were already reforming prisons, education, equality for women, mental health, government, and services for the poor. Susan B. Anthony

Moral grounds.Moral grounds. –Declaration of Independence declared all people are created equal. –The Bible preaches equality. –A byproduct of the Second Great Awakening and Charles Finney. Charles Finney /modern/people/images/Finney.jpg

Background of Abolitionists Why Abolition? Political reasons.Political reasons. –Democrats protested the denial of political and civil rights to blacks. –By 1805, all of the Northern states had either outlawed slavery or set out gradual emancipation. –Northerners believed that the slave South was gaining power and trying to push north of the Missouri Compromise line.

Abolitionist Opinions Option 1: Colonization Benjamin Lundy.Benjamin Lundy. –Quaker publisher, tried to persuade Southerners to free their slaves. –Once freed, he explored the possibility of colonization in Canada or Haiti.

Abolitionist Opinions Option 2: Violent Uprising Former Slaves: David Walker Born to freed slaves, moved to MassachusettsBorn to freed slaves, moved to Massachusetts David Walker’s Appeal.David Walker’s Appeal. –A pamphlet that urged African-Americans to use violent means, if necessary, to win their freedom. –Known as the “diabolical pamphlet” throughout the South. David Walker

Abolitionist Opinions Option 3: Work within the System Former Slaves: Frederick Douglass Background.Background. –Most well-known escaped slave. He learned to read and write and mastered a trade while a slave. –Earned enough money from lectures and writing to send to his former master and legally purchase his freedom. Became part of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society.Became part of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. --He believed freedom required not only emancipation, but also full social and economic equality.

Changing opinions.Changing opinions. –Originally wanted emancipation by violent means. –Late 1840s, decides to break with the “radical abolitionists.” Believed that the Constitution needed to be upheld.Believed that the Constitution needed to be upheld. If it was not, then emancipation meant nothing because blacks would not be treated as equals.If it was not, then emancipation meant nothing because blacks would not be treated as equals. –Destroy slavery by working within the system.

Abolitionist Opinions Option 4: Free them now, to heck with the consequences William Lloyd Garrison Assistant of Benjamin Lundy, would become a leading abolitionist.Assistant of Benjamin Lundy, would become a leading abolitionist. –Became leader of the radical view. –Wanted the immediate emancipation of slaves. –Did not care about the political, social, and economic consequences. –Refused to engage in political activity to end slavery. –Compromises have failed in the past. –Laws made to protect slavery were illegal under God’s law. –Prepared to destroy the Union to gain their ends.

The Liberator.The Liberator. –Key abolitionist newspaper. –Extremely controversial in both the North and the South. –Would be banned in the South. –Set out the reasons for abolition in a graphic manner. William Lloyd Garrison

Importance of Garrison.Importance of Garrison. –Did not have many followers, but opened up new views on abolition. –Abolition was not a reform movement, but a revolution. –Achieving racial equality, not just ending slavery, will lead to the true goal: full justice for blacks. Saw blacks as true equals.Saw blacks as true equals. Supported the efforts of female abolitionists and the women’s rights movement.Supported the efforts of female abolitionists and the women’s rights movement.

Abolitionist Opinions Option 5: Moderate Approach—one step at a time Origins & beliefs.Origins & beliefs. –Broke with Garrison in –“Immediate emancipation… gradually achieved” through political activity. –Did not want female abolitionists to take an active role. Believed that slavery was enough of an issue to antagonize people.Believed that slavery was enough of an issue to antagonize people. Would lose support.Would lose support. Created the Liberty Party.Created the Liberty Party. –Would be one of the numerous “third parties” created to fight for the end of slavery.