Abolitionism 2 Origins of the American Civil War

platform of american anti-slavery society, founded in 1833 william lloyd garrison , arthur tappan.

antislavery movements in north gained momentum in 1830s , 1840s, period of rapid transformation of northern society inspired social , political reformism. many of reformers of period, including abolitionists, attempted in 1 way or transform lifestyle , work habits of labor, helping workers respond new demands of industrializing, capitalistic society.

antislavery, many other reform movements of period, influenced legacy of second great awakening, period of religious revival in new country stressing reform of individuals still relatively fresh in american memory. thus, while reform spirit of period expressed variety of movements often-conflicting political goals, reform movements shared common feature in emphasis on great awakening principle of transforming human personality through discipline, order, , restraint.

abolitionist had several meanings @ time. followers of william lloyd garrison, including wendell phillips , frederick douglass, demanded immediate abolition of slavery , hence name. more pragmatic group of abolitionists, theodore weld , arthur tappan, wanted immediate action, action might program of gradual emancipation, long intermediate stage. antislavery men , john quincy adams, did limit slavery , end possible, not part of abolitionist group. example, in 1841 adams represented amistad african slaves in supreme court of united states , argued should set free. in last years before war, antislavery mean northern majority, abraham lincoln, opposed expansion of slavery or influence, kansas–nebraska act, or fugitive slave act. many southerners called these abolitionists, without distinguishing them garrisonians. james m. mcpherson explains abolitionists deep beliefs: people equal in god s sight; souls of black folks valuable of whites; 1 of god s children enslave violation of higher law, if sanctioned constitution.

a woodcut abolitionist anti-slavery almanac (1839) depicts capture of fugitive slave slave patrol.

stressing yankee protestant ideals of self-improvement, industry, , thrift, abolitionists– notably william lloyd garrison– condemned slavery lack of control on 1 s own destiny , fruits of 1 s labor.

wendell phillips, 1 of ardent abolitionists, attacked slave power , presaged disunion 1845:

the experience of fifty years… shows slaves trebling in numbers—slaveholders monopolizing offices , dictating policy of government—prostituting strength , influence of nation support of slavery here , elsewhere—trampling on rights of free states, , making courts of country tools. continue disastrous alliance longer madness. … why prolong experiment?

abolitionists attacked slavery threat freedom of white americans. defining freedom more simple lack of restraint, antebellum reformers held free man 1 imposed restraints upon himself. thus, anti-slavery reformers of 1830s , 1840s, promise of free labor , upward social mobility (opportunities advancement, rights own property, , control 1 s own labor), central ideal of reforming individuals.

controversy on so-called ostend manifesto (which proposed u.s. annexation of cuba slave state) , fugitive slave act kept sectional tensions alive before issue of slavery in west occupy country s politics in mid-to-late 1850s.

antislavery sentiment among groups in north intensified after compromise of 1850, when southerners began appearing in northern states pursue fugitives or claim slaves free african americans had resided there years. meanwhile, abolitionists openly sought prevent enforcement of law. violation of fugitive slave act open , organized. in boston– city boasted no fugitive had ever been returned– theodore parker , other members of city s elite helped form mobs prevent enforcement of law april 1851. pattern of public resistance emerged in city after city, notably in syracuse in 1851 (culminating in jerry rescue incident late year), , boston again in 1854. issue did not lead crisis until revived same issue underlying missouri compromise of 1820: slavery in territories.

arguments , against slavery

william lloyd garrison, prominent abolitionist, motivated belief in growth of democracy. because constitution had three-fifths clause, fugitive slave clause , 20-year extension of atlantic slave trade, garrison once publicly burned copy of u.s. constitution , called covenant death , agreement hell . in 1854, said:

opposite opinions on slavery expressed confederate vice-president alexander stephens in cornerstone speech . stephens said:

free soil movement

abolitionist frederick douglass.

opposition 1847 wilmot proviso helped consolidate free-soil forces. in 1848 radical new york democrats known barnburners, members of liberty party, , anti-slavery whigs formed free-soil party. party supported former president martin van buren , charles francis adams, sr., president , vice president. party opposed expansion of slavery territories had not yet existed, such oregon , ceded mexican territory. had effect of dividing democratic party in north, in areas of yankee settlement

eric foner in free soil, free labor, free men: ideology of republican party before civil war (1970) emphasized importance of free labor ideology northern opponents of slavery, pointing out moral concerns of abolitionists not dominant sentiments in north. many northerners (including lincoln) opposed slavery because feared rich slave owners buy best lands , block opportunity free white farmers using family , hired labor. free soilers joined republican party in 1854, appeal powerful demands in north through broader commitment free labor principles. fear of slave power had far greater appeal northern self-interest did abolitionist arguments based on plight of black slaves in south.