FREE ESSAY ON ABOLITION

ABOLITION

Abolition 
A Stronger Resistance The abolitionist movement in the United States sought to eradicate
slavery using a wide range of tactics and organizations. The antislavery movement
mobilized many African Americans and some whites who sought to end the institution of
slavery. Although both black and white abolitionists often worked together, the
relationship between them was intricate. The struggle for black abolitionists was much
more personal because they wanted to end slavery and also wanted to gain equal rights for
blacks. However, many white abolitionists only sought to end slavery and did not fight
for equality for blacks. From these exceedingly contrasting perspectives and the
continuation of slavery, the sentiment of many abolitionists became more militant and
radical; some abolitionists began to use more violent methods of resistance to abolish
slavery. Before the 1830s most antislavery activists stressed gradual emancipation. These
feelings were expressed mainly by Southern whites, some possessing a fear of free blacks
not being ready for freedom and others holding beliefs that slavery would gradually
disappear (Notes, 10/18/00). Generally, only black abolitionists demanded an immediate
end to slavery. This difference in opinion contributed to some blacks taking more violent
measures to gain freedom and equality. Further contributing to the more aggressive
tactics were the goals of the white abolitionists. Many white abolitionists were not able
to accept blacks as their equals and did not fight for black equality, which led to
increased tension between blacks and whites. More militant tactics, such as uprising and
revolts, were gaining support in the nineteenth century. Nat Turner was a black
abolitionist that supported the use of aggressive and forceful tactics. In 1831, in
Virginia, he led an insurrection and more than 55 white people were killed. It was very
bloody and violent and angered many whites from its brutality (Nash, 275). Yet, many
blacks felt that the only thing that would get a response was an uprising and taking
drastic measures. In Christiana, Pennsylvania, the Fugitive Slave Laws were passed. These
laws stated that whites could recapture their runaway slaves. Blacks were outraged by the
passing of these laws and rioted in response to this (Roots of Resistance). This
demonstrated how blacks would react in manners that were more forceful and these tactics
were used by a number of other abolitionists, however, many still used different
approaches to battling slavery. Many abolitionists used writing to end slavery. In 1827,
the first black newspaper, Freedom's Journal, was created by Samuel Cornish and John
Russwurm (Notes, 11/29/00). This paper spread ideas of freedom and equality and gave hope
to the black readers. David Walker, the son of a free black mother and a slave father,
pushed the abolitionist movement into militancy in 1829 when he published David Walker's
Appeal. His work inspired blacks to organize and urged slaves to rise up against their
masters and take their freedom by force (Notes, 11/27/00). Even with tensions high, some
abolitionists still advocated a non-violent approach. William Lloyd Garrison, a white
abolitionist, published The Liberator in 1831 in Boston. This was a radical anti-slavery
newspaper that was successful from the tremendous black support. Garrison favored a
non-violent approach that advocated the immediate emancipation of slaves and equality for
all blacks (Notes, 11/27/00). Along with newspapers, several organizations were created
in response to the injustices. Garrison helped to form the American Anti-Slavery Society
along with Arthur and Lewis Tappan. This organization wanted an immediate end to slavery
and equality for all blacks in American society. It distributed over one million
pamphlets dealing with anti-slavery and was able to organize men, women and children. The
society grew and by 1840, it had 200,000 members (Notes, 11/27/00). Most blacks remained
loyal to Garrison, although in the 1840s many blacks became more independent. They were
more critical of white abolitionist and their racism and prejudice. Blacks recognized
that many white abolitionists were against slavery but not for equal rights because they
still possessed racist views. In the 1840s, a new group of black leaders emerges, the
radical fugitive slaves (Notes, 11/29/00). These fugitive slaves began lecturing and
telling their stories. Frederick Douglass, an eloquent ex-slave from Maryland, denounced
ideas of violent rebellions. He published several books, Narrative and My Bondage and My
Freedom, which shared his story and his views on the importance of equality for blacks.
The sharing of stories was common among these new black leaders. By sharing a story, it
gave the listeners a chance to relate to occurrences in their lives (Notes, 11/27/00).
These leaders would tell audiences their experiences while in slavery and how they gained
their freedom. Their stories were used to give hope and inspiration to others. Through
their experiences, they showed the evils of slavery. The struggle for emancipation and
equality was extremely difficult. All abolitionists wanted an end to slavery, but often
times only blacks wanted equality in society. The different goals led to different
methods of obtaining these goals. Some methods of black abolitionists became much more
radical and violent to end slavery. This was a direct reaction to the racism of many
white abolitionists. Even with different methods, the outcome of the effort was freedom
for the slaves and eventual equality for blacks