Term Paper on "Abolitionist Movement"

Term Paper 5 pages (1435 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Abolitionist movement played a crucial role in destroying slavery from the United States and the European countries where the practice was legal and an acceptable institution. Right from the 1808 Atlantic slave trade act to the passage of the 1964 civil rights act, the abolitionist movement was instrumental in transforming America into a nation of equal rights for all, irrespective of race, sex, religion or nationality. Though this political achievement marked a big constitutional victory, the social reform, which had to follow, took a very long time.

The abolitionist movement was active in the eighteenth and the nineteenth centuries. From a purely a black resistance movement against their masters in the 16th century, the abolitionist movement gained strength and found active involvement from the white community during the nineteenth century. Among the various reasons, the active intervention of the church and the motives of freedom that characterized the American revolution, had a strong bearing in the development of the abolition movement. Gradually, social changes began to creep in, at first in the northern states and much later in the southern states. Ever since the American revolution, the nation underwent a gradual social shift, which changed a hierarchical society that promoted slave trade and slave labor to its present state of the land of freedom and equality for all. Let us briefly study the abolition movement in context of its impact in achieving this transformation.

The Abolition Movement

Though resistance from black slaves was always present and there were many escape episodes where the slaves freed themselves and settled into maroon communities, it was only in the late 18th century that the slaves as well as the escaped black people resisted the very concept of slavery. The northern and southern states were divided in their opinion on slavery and the first major victory for the abolition movement was achieved when the congress passed the resolution in 1808 to abolish slave trade with Africa. Even though procurement of slaves from Africa was stopped by this act, it did not put a stop to the drudged life of the slaves working in the southern plantations. The abolition movement gained in strength in the 1830's under the leadership of William Lloyd Garrison, whose strong anti-slavery sentiments and active involvement gave a new force to the movement. "I shall strenuously contend for the immediate enfranchisement of our slave population.... On this subject I do not wish to think, or speak, or write with moderation.... I am in earnest -- I will not equivocate -- I will not excuse -- I will not retreat a single inch and I WILL BE HEARD." [Howard Cincotta, 1994]. The American Anti-Slavery Society was instituted in 1832 and the membership grew up to 2,50,000 by 1838. However, this unity was not to last long as the women's equal rights policy pursued by Garrison did not find favor with most members of the AASS who were still conservative in their social outlook and were unwilling to look upon women as equal to men. Let us now look into the social changes that slowly came along with the abolition movement.

Social Changes

Equal Rights for Women

The abolition movement bought about some significant social changes. First and foremost is the emancipation of the blacks. Next is the birth of the women's equal rights movement or the women's movement. It must be noted here that Garrison's AASS was divided in 1840 due to the election of a women representative Abby Kelley into the committee. This clearly shows the plight of women in the male dominated American society during the early nineteenth century. Garrison, however, pressed forward with his demand for equal rights for women along with the anti-slavery movement. A few years later, in 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton convened the first ever-national meeting that looked into the case of women in America. In this revolutionary meeting Stanton discussed the relegated role of women in the American society, "The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over her. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world." [Bonnie Eisenberg] Thus the women's equal rights movement was in part an offshoot of the abolition movement. American women got their… READ MORE

How to Reference "Abolitionist Movement" Term Paper in a Bibliography

Related Term Papers:

Abolition Movement Research Proposal

abolitionist movement in American and when did it take place? For many Americans who are only vaguely knowledgeable about the abolitionist movement before and around the time of the Civil… read more

Research Proposal 6 pages (2158 words) Sources: 5 Style: Chicago Topic: African-American / Black Studies

---

Civil Rights Movement in America the Struggle Term Paper

Civil Rights Movement in America

The struggle for the Civil Rights of the African-Americans have their roots in the slave trade era and the resulting pressure to let go the… read more

Term Paper 6 pages (2291 words) Sources: 6 Topic: American History / United States

---

1820-1860 Numerous Reform Groups, Including Abolitionists, Suffragists Term Paper

1820-1860 numerous reform groups, including Abolitionists, Suffragists, Utopians and temperance groups organized to reform American society. Why did such groups arise in this period? Focus on one specific group and… read more

Term Paper 4 pages (1543 words) Sources: 0 Topic: American History / United States

---

Women in American History Essay

Women in American History

Women on the Oregon Trail to the Gold Rush

Thousands of women journeyed overland on the Oregon Trail during the Gold Rush with husbands and fathers,… read more

Essay 2 pages (634 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Women / Feminism

---

Douglass Garrison Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Research Proposal

Douglass Garrison

Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison and Abolition

The economic, social and ideological underpinnings of the American southland during the nation's formative decades were provided by the myriad assumptions… read more

Research Proposal 15 pages (5314 words) Sources: 10 Style: MLA Topic: African-American / Black Studies

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>