History
Willy Ben Chen
1.pptxThe Abolitionist Movement
The Abolitionist movement, whose aim was the abolishment of slavery, became a sizeable force for change by the mid 19th century. Many in America were incensed by the expansion of slavery in West and the violence that coincided with it. The growing opposition to slavery, which coincided with a further entrenchment by planters and slave owners, ensured that all out warfare within America was unavoidable by 1850.
Abolitionist came from a variety of walks of life: some were religious leaders and followers, others were rebellious militants looking to eradicate slavery by any means necessary, and others still were free or escaped slaves who sought the emancipation of their people.
Major Figures in the Abolitionist Movement
A major leader in the abolitionist movement and the editor of the anti-slavery newspaper The Liberator, William Lloyd Garrison (1805-1879) was also a founding member of the American Anti-Slavery Society.
The Liberator, published first in 1831, was integral to the abolitionist movement as a mouth piece and binding agent, though the paper’s habit of taking a supportive stance towards people using violence to thwart slavery did not endear it to southerners.
Major Figures in the Abolitionist Movement
Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was likely one of the most well known figures in the abolitionist movement in addition to being among the most eloquent orators in American history.
Born a slave in Maryland, the wife of his owner taught him the alphabet in spite of it being outlawed by the state. He eventually escaped from his bondage, changed his name to Fredrick Douglass, and became a leader the emancipation movement
Major Figures in the Abolitionist Movement
Starting in 1843 Fredrick Douglass had a number of high profile publications and oration, eventually culminating in his July 4th speech.
In 1843, Douglass was invited to go on a 6-month tour with the American Anti-Slavery Society. On more than one occasion, he was attacked by angry mobs.
Douglass published his famed autobiography, "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave” in 1845.
Before his death, he published two other autobiographies- "My Bondage and My Freedom" in 1855 and "Life and Times of Frederick Douglass" in 1881.
Major Figures in the Abolitionist Movement
On July 4th, 1852 Douglass gave one of the most impressive orations in American history, titled “What to a Slave is the 4th of July?”
The speech was made to the ladies of the Rochester Anti-Slavery Sewing Society. The speech itself exults the founding fathers while slyly and subtly condemning them for their double standard on liberty when considering race.
Likewise, he referred to the holiday and the founders as belonging to the audience rather than himself or Americans, insinuating that the War for Independence only served the white community of America.
Major Figures in the Abolitionist Movement
Another escaped slave and major figure in the Abolition movement, Harriet Tubman (1822-1913) infamously orchestrated missions to aid escaped slaves fleeing to the North. She escaped slavery in 1849 and risked her freedom thereafter by working in the Underground Railroad to guide escaped slaves to free states and Canada. She also helped recruit men for John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry.
Later in life, Tubman became a vocal supporter of the Women’s Suffrage movement.
Major Figures in the Abolitionist Movement
Isabella Baumfree, who was more commonly known by her pen name Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) was a writer and orator who supported the abolitionist and later suffrage movement. A member of the Northampton Association of Education, she preached abolition, equal rights for women, religious tolerance, and pacifism. During the Civil War, she helped recruit black soldiers to the Union cause.
Arguably her most famous work was her 1851 speech “Ain’t I a Women,” in which she included southern slang, something she did not commonly use. The speech simultaneously attacked slavery and gender inequality.
Major Figures in the Abolitionist Movement
John Brown was a militant abolitionist. On several occasions, he murdered equally militant pro slavery forces and slave owners. His actions escalated the tensions between the North and South.
Though he arguably left a legacy of violence, this did not stop Union soldiers from chanting “Glory, Hally, hallelujah,” singing “John Brown’s Body” while marching victoriously into Richmond, VA.
The Politics of Abolition
The Liberty Party was founded in 1840. Standing in staunch opposition to slavery, they argued that the constitution prohibited the expansion of slavery.
During the 1844 election, James G Birney was nominated as their abolitionist candidate.
The Politics of Abolition
Seeking to preempt the results of the forthcoming Mexican-American War, David Wilmot introduced the Wilmot Proviso.
This bill sought to block slavery from being introduced to the newly acquired territories from Mexico. It failed.
The Politics of Abolition
The Free Soil Party was Founded in 1848. The Free Soil Party was founded in Buffalo, NY and opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories.
Many members of the party once belonged to the Liberty and Democrat Party. Martin Van Buren became the Free Soil's candidate for President in 1848. Their campaign slogan was "Free Soil, Free Speech, Free Labor, and Free Men.“
Compromise of 1850
Aiming to preserve peace in a increasingly divided nation, Henry Clay and Stephen Douglas co-authored the Compromise of 1850.
The compromise had four major parts: California was admitted as a free state; Texas surrendered its claims to New Mexico; popular sovereignty in the New Mexico and Utah Territories; creation of the Fugitive Slave Act; and banned slave trade in Washington D.C.
The Politics of Abolition
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 split the Nebraska Territory in two, opened it up to settlement, and instituted popular sovereignty.
Though it was hoped by Stephen Douglas that the introduction of popular sovereignty would ease tensions in the region, ultimate it had the opposite effect and led to “Bleeding Kansas.”
When Politics Fail….
The implementation of popular sovereignty by the Kansas-Nebraska Act led to outright violence within the state between abolitionist and pro-slavery mobs. Known as “Bleeding Kansas,” between 50 and 70 people were killed on both sides.
During this period, the anti-slavery militant, John Brown, was involved in the Pottawatomie Creek massacre, in which he and several of his followers killed five. After hunting the men down, the Brown gang used swords to crack open the skulls and hack up the bodies of the men.
When Politics Fail…
Brown’s most infamous action came in 1859 when he orchestrated a raid on the Harpers Ferry, VA federal arsenal. Brown and his band of 22 men sought to instigate a slave revolt by striking at the arsenal and using its munitions to arm the slaves.
Col. Robert E. Lee put down the revolt and captured John Brown. Brown was sentenced to death by hanging, becoming a martyr to the abolitionist cause.
This event was one of the last straws leading to the breakup between the North and South.
The Politics of Abolition
Another major and unintended result of the act was the creation of the Republican Party.
The Republican Party formed from a coalition of antislavery Whigs, northern Democrats and members of the Know-Nothing Party who were unhappy with President Pierce's Kansas policy, which had repealed the Missouri Compromise.
The Politics of Abolition
In 1857, Dred Scott, a slave, sued his master when he was sold to a man who moved from Missouri to free states (Illinois and Wisconsin territory.) In Dred Scott v. Sanford, the prosecutor argued that a slave could not be held in captivity while in a free state. Ultimately, the court ruled in favor of the defense, with Chief Justice Roger Taney arguing that African Americans could not sue whites because they were not citizens of the United States.
This decision was disturbing to free African Americans throughout the country. By being stripped of their citizenship, they were vulnerable to re-enslavement or expulsion.
The Politics of Abolition
1858 saw the first of the famed Lincoln-Douglas debates. Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas clashed over a congressional seat from Illinois. These debates took place in several Illinois cities and centered on the extension of slavery into free territory. Douglas believed that the people of the territories should decide for themselves whether they wanted slavery. Lincoln thought slavery was wrong and hoped to end it.
Douglas won his reelection, but these debates gave Lincoln national attention. These debates played a major role in gaining Lincoln the support he needed for his 1860’s presidential bid.
When Politics Fail…
Southern planters lived in near constant fear of slave uprisings and the damage they would cause. While uncommon, these fears were not unfounded.
In 1831, a literate field slave named Nat Turner led an uprising that killed his owner and 60 other whites in Virginia. An enraged mob captured the slaves and executed them. While Turner initially avoided capture, he was eventually executed as well. More than 100 innocent slaves were also murdered as a result of the rebellion.
Election of 1860
Republican Abraham Lincoln won the 1860 election largely due to the Democratic party being split between three candidates: Northerner Stephen Douglas, Southerner John Breckinridge, and Constitutional Union Party candidate John Bell.
Infuriated by the election of a Republican to the presidency, Southern states resolved to succeed. A last ditch effort to avoid this was made by Senator John Crittenden, who proposed a series of amendments to the constitution that would protect interstate slave trade, southern slavery, and enforce the fugitive slave act. The resolution failed.
