Definitionist Movement: An Analysis On The Abolitionism Movement

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Analysis on the Abolitionism Movement Abolitionism started in the 1830’s and lasted until the 1870’s. It was an attempt to have all the slaves emancipated to end slavery for good and demolish segregation. During this time of fighting between the north and south, the ethical standings of owning slaves to care for your crops, were being analyzed and discussed. Slavery had been a part of culture since the first ship deported the African Americans in 1619 and a lot of people were against ending it. They were especially against ending slavery all at once instead of gradually, like abolitionist were trying to do. Several people were a key factor in moving the abolitionist movement along smoothly. One was, William Lloyd Garrison, he and his family had been opposed to slavery ever since he was born. He started his …show more content…

The Underground Railroad was an effort by the people of the south to show that they secretly supported the abolitionists. The Underground Railroad was a series of hideouts that runaway slaves could travel to for safety. The people of the safe houses would feed, clothe, provide shelter for and give directions to the runaway slaves so that they would be prepared for the next house and be able to find it. In these safe houses there were secret rooms to hide the African American’s in while the houses were being searched by authorities. The runaway slaves were traveling north so the slaves could find freedom. Most would stop when “they reached a free state such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Ohio. Most escaping slaves [would] travel all the way to Canada… to make sure they would be safe…” (pathways.thinkport.org). Going to Canada meant that one was completely free, yet if one landed in a free state, the Fugitive Slave Act would require that one was brought back to their state and