Ap Us History Dbq Slavery

From the time we first became a country to 1865, slavery was a major issue that was lingering over the United States. The fight for abolition was a long struggle requiring a great deal of endurance and effort from many selfless individuals and groups fighting for the freedom of African Americans. Eventually, the government began making attempts at dealing with the issue of slavery, but not all of these were as successful as the government hoped they would be. These efforts made by various people and federal government shaped the history of our country, and the rights of freedom for all. In an attempt to fix the issue of slavery, and avoid a future civil war which everyone knew was inevitable, the government made many quick but not very effective

This fight was not only made by African Americans, but white men, and even many woman (doc. #6). In the 1850s, a tea party was a social gathering to discuss important public issues and raise money for causes. Woman groups had tea parties to discuss and lecture against slavery (doc. #6). Many women also got together and raised money in an attempt to buy the freedom of slaves. This was an action made by a group to try and counter the fugitive slave law. This law stated that all escaped slaves, were to be returned to their owners. This law applied to both the north and the south. So by purchasing the freedom of slaves, groups of women were supporting abolition. It was also a huge step for woman. For the first time, woman could feel as if they really had a voice, and were able to contribute something to the government and

They went out and told their stories to audiences throughout the North and in Europe, wrote books, got themselves in newspapers, anything they could do to get the word out (doc. #7) Frederick Douglass, William Wells Brown, and Harriet Beecher Stowe were some people who were famous for writing books influencing many different people’s perspective on slavery. One of the most effective books was Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Stowe was less threatening to white audiences than were black ex-slaves, and could therefore reach out to more people (doc. #7). Her book was so famous that it even became a play, and was widely known throughout the country. These groups and people heavily affected the country's feeling toward abolishing slavery, and the government's actions made to try and stop