Abolitionists

Question 1

Background knowledge for introduction

Answer 1

• Many historians accepted that most Northerners were against slavery, but didn’t necessarily want slavery abolished.
• As education became more widespread in North - young people more aware of reality.
• Schools and colleges place of discussion of social justice and abolition.
• Abolitionist seen as massive threat.

Question 2

Factors in essay

Answer 2

• Lack of unity
• Lack of interest argued by Latwick
• Political limitations argued by Temperley

Question 3

Lack of Unity
KU/A/+

Answer 3

KU - One of many movements at this time. American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society
A - Anti-Slavery Society opposed the role of women in the movements - inappropriate. Dividing groups who were fighting for same thing.
A+ - Abolitionist movement 250,000 supporters compared to 150,000-200,000 people for Anti-Slavery Society, overruling the number who didn’t agree.

KU - Different attitude towards William Lloyd Garrisons ‘The Liberator’ 1831.

Question 4

Lack of Interest
KU/A/A+

Answer 4

KU - Abolitionist literature inflamed hostility towards the issue, major lash back, Uncle Tom’s Cabin banned in South 1852.
A - South sought to maintain slavery and thought anti-slavery activism caused economic instability- didn’t want literature to encourage others.
A+ - Many Southerners illiterate - counted on word of mouth. Therefore North’s viewpoint still talked about.

KU - Lack of appeal in the North of the abolition group in free states.
A - Even though they were against slavery, they didn’t want them to migrate to the North due to possible job competition.

KU - The lack of interest in the group also wasn’t helped by a Northern background of hostility towards black people, almost contradicting what they were fighting for.
H -

Question 5

Lack of Interest Historian

Answer 5

Latwick - He pointed out the indifference of Northerners on the question of race.

Question 6

Political Limitations
KU/A/A+

Answer 6

KU - The US House of Representatives introduced the Gag Rule 1836-1844. Forbade discussion of slavery in government.
A - Gag Rule now limited political impact of the abolitionist movement as the House makes major decisions for the country whilst overlooking abolitionists.
A+ - Forced movement to be more resourceful and come up with new ideas to get attention such as speeches and marches.

KU - Lack of Liberty Laws in some Northern states. States like New York and Connecticut gave slaves the right to appeal against the Fugitive Slave Act and be provided with lawyers. Most Northern states didn’t have this right.
A - Even if abolitionists helped slaves in the North, they still didn’t have rights to be completely free and improve their status.

KU - Lack of political motivation to achieve in abolitionists aims.
H - Temperley

Question 7

Political Limitations Evaluation

Answer 7

In evaluation, political limitations is the most important reason for limited success as not only did they have other movements fighting for the same thing against them, but their views were actually banned in conversation. Meaning improvements couldn’t be made by people in power.
Adams states “The freedom of debate has since been stifled in this House.”