Abolition the split of America

Abolition the split of America

Abolitionism: The movement to end slavery.

Poll

● Would you stand up against your family members for something that you know is right even if it is against the law?

• Yes

• No

What words stick out? What do they mean to you?

"Be faithful, be vigilant, be untiring in your efforts to break every yoke, and let the oppressed go free. Come what may - cost what it may - inscribe on the banner which you unfurl to the breeze, as your religious and political motto - "NO COMPROMISE WITH SLAVERY! NO UNION WITH SLAVEHOLDERS" ~ William Lloyd Garrison

Abolitionism

• The abolishment of slavery in the United States was a major event, with many causes and lasting effects throughout history

• While Southern farmers and plantation owners were clinging to the institution of slavery, Northern abolitionists were also becoming more vocal and aggressive.

• This caused the increased tensions in the United States, which led to an increase in sectionalism.

Poll

Do you think all southerners were for slavery?

• Yes

• No

Famous Abolitionist

Harriet Beecher Stowe

• In 1811, Harriet Beecher was born in Connecticut. Through her father’s teachings in church and at home, Harriet learned to hate slavery

• In 1836, Harriet married Calvin Stowe. He was a professor and was against slavery. They often gave shelter to runaway slaves along the Underground Railroad

• Wrote "Uncle Tom's Cabin"

Uncle Tom's Cabin

• This book followed the lives of slaves as they were sold into slavery, beaten to death, or separated from their families.

• it was the most powerful attack on slavery written in the 1850s. 

•  read by so many people that it scared slave owners. They feared that people would feel sorry for the slaves and refuse to return runaway slaves to their masters.

Poll

If you time traveled back and read "Uncle Tom's Cabin" for the first time as a northerner. Would you be inspired to actively help slaves escape to freedom?

• Yes

• No

Harriet Tubman

• Harriet Tubman was one of the most famous conductors on the Underground Railroad. 

• Harriet married freed slave John Tubman. Five years later, Harriet herself escaped from a life of slavery on the Underground Railroad. 

•  During the 1850s, Harriet made 19 trips back to Maryland and helped more than 70 slaves escape to freedom. 

Poll

Was the underground railroad and actual railroad?

• Yes

• No

Fredrick Douglas

• Frederick Douglass helped black slaves find freedom

• The wife of his owner broke the rules and taught Frederick to read and write. He later taught other slaves how to read and write.

• Frederick Douglass was sent to work for Edward Covey, a poor farmer who was known as a “slave breaker. "During one harsh beating, Frederick fought back and was never whipped again.

Douglass's Escape to Freedom

• In 1838, Douglass escaped to freedom.

• Douglass had not only become an abolitionist, he also helped black men earn the right to vote. Throughout his life, he fought for equal treatment of all people. He was known for saying, “I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.” 

Fugitive Slave Laws

• Slave owners passed strict laws to keep slaves like Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass from running away on the Underground Railroad. 

• In 1850, the Fugitive Slave Law stated that runaway slaves in the North could still be captured and returned to their masters. Also, anyone who helped a slave e

Poll

Do you think already free African Americans were forced into slavery without ever being a slave because of the fugitive slave law?

• Yes

• No

Antislavery Societies

• Many Northerners wanted to prevent the spread of slavery into new states and end slavery completely

• there were more than 2,000 antislavery societies in the North. 

• Southerners were willing to do whatever was needed to protect their economy and their pro ts