Abolitionists and Women’s Rights

1. Abolitionists and Women’s Rights

2. Abolitionists • People who fought to end the institution of slavery • By 1804 most Northern states had abolished slavery • In 1807, the U.S. Slave Trade was abolished • Pamphlet campaigns were conducted throughout the South • Religious beliefs played a very important role!

3. Famous Abolitionists • William Lloyd Garrison • Sarah and Angelina Grimke • Theodore Weld • John Quincy Adams • Joshua Giddings (Jefferson, Ohio) • Frederick Douglass • Sojourner Truth • Harriet Tubman • Harriet Beecher Stowe • John Brown

4. John Brown • John Brown was considered a saint to some, a madman to others, especially Southerners • Some Northerners thought he went too far • Brown was an abolitionist who advocated armed revolt to end slavery • Led Pottawatomie Massacre in 1856 in “Bleeding Kansas” where pro and anti-slavery forces faced • Attempted to arm slaves by raiding a federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia, inciting a slave rebellion • Tried and hanged

6. William Lloyd Garrison • American abolitionist, journalist, and social reformer • Published the abolitionist newspaper, “The Liberator” • One of the founders of the American Anti-Slavery Society • Called for immediate emancipation for slaves • Calls for equality • Garrison was also a prominent voice for the women’s suffrage movement

7. Sarah and Angelina Grimke

8. The Grimke Sisters • Born in South Carolina to a slaveholding family • Fought alongside Theodore Weld to abolish slavery • Devoted to racial and gender equality

9. Theodore Weld • Married Angelina Grimke in 1838 • Led a petition campaign against slavery in the South • Weld played a role as writer, editor, speaker and organizer • American Slavery As It Is: Testimony of a Thousand Witnesses, published in 1839

10. John Quincy Adams &Joshua Giddings • Led the campaign against the “Gag Rule” 1836-1844 • All petitions to Congress related to slavery could not be read, discussed, or debated • Adams and Giddings said it violated free speech and the right to petition the government

11. Amistad • John Quincy Adams defends slaves who rebelled on a slave ship, Amistad, and killed some of the slave traders • Found not guilty • Finally return to Africa

12. Frederick Douglass • Escaped slave, author, abolitionist, speaker, supporter of equal rights for all • Served as a slave in the North and South • Spoke of his experiences • Learned to read and write • Wrote Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (1845) • Lincoln was impressed by Douglass, helped change attitudes

13. Sojourner Truth • Escaped slave • Impressive speaker against slavery and for women’s rights • Gave the famous “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech at an Ohio Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio

14. Harriet Tubman &Underground Railroad • Underground Railroad: a series of escape routes used by slaves escaping to the North • Conductors: People operating and leading the RR • Stations: stops along the road to freedom in the North • Tubman, escaped slave, returns 19 times to the South helping 300 slaves to reach freedom

15. Harriet Beecher Stowe • Daughter of a preacher • Writes the famous book Uncle Tom’s Cabin • Described the terrible conditions of slavery and the separation of slave families • Abraham Lincoln was very impressed with her work!

16. Alexis De Toqueville • Frenchman • Observed Life in America for one year in 1831 and wrote Democracy in America • “The great advantage of the Americans is that they are born equal instead of becoming so.” But added “In one blow oppression has deprived the descendants of the Africans of almost all the privileges of humanity.”

17. Underground Railroad • Series of escape routes from the South to the North • Harriet Tubman was a “conductor” who made 19 trips back to the South and led over 300 slaves to freedom • Slaves would stop at “stations” until it was time to move again

18. Underground Railroad Map

19. Underground Railroad Map