The Abolitionist Movement

1. The Abolitionist Movement

2. Slavery • all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself [herself] voluntarily • Control through violence or threat of violence • Exploitation for profit • Loss of free will

3. Abolition • Definition: A complete end to slavery • Abolitionist: some one that works toward a complete end to slavery. • Emancipation: The immediate freedom from the control of another person.

4. History • Quakers fought for an end to slavery from colonial times • In the Second Great Awakening Christians pushed for change on moral grounds. • Words of the Declaration of Independence included equality for all.

5. Spreading the Message • Newspapers/Books • The Liberator: poetry and literature • The North Star & Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass • Speaking Tours • Some white activist: Angelina and Sarah Grimke • Freed African Americans: Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth and Charles Remond • Groups • American Anti-Slavery Society: wanted an end to slavery immediately

6. Underground Railroad • A network of people that arrange transportation and hiding places for African Americans as they try to escape from slavery. • Spread path information in songs & other cultural tools • Wore disguises and moved along the trails at night. • Sometimes they were transported by hiding in boxes or wagons

7. Songs (Follow the Drinking Gourd) • When the Sun comes backAnd the first quail callsFollow the Drinking Gourd,For the old man is a-waiting for to carry you to freedomIf you follow the Drinking Gourd • The riverbank makes a very good road.The dead trees will show you the way.Left foot, peg foot, travelling on,Follow the Drinking Gourd. • The river ends between two hillsFollow the Drinking Gourd.There’s another river on the other sideFollow the Drinking Gourd. • When the great big river meets the little riverFollow the Drinking Gourd.For the old man is a-waiting for to carry to freedomIf you follow the Drinking Gourd.

8. Songs http://pathways.thinkport.org/secrets/music1.cfm

9. Quilt Patterns • Monkey Wrench Drunkard’s Path • Bow tie Bear Claw Trail

10. Underground Railroad • Trail known as the “railroad” • The hiding places during the day were called “stations” • The abolitionists who traveled with the fugitives Conductors”…offered there home for protection were known as “station managers” • Over 40,000 African Americans saved

17. Harriet Tubman • Escaped from slavery in 1849 • Went back to the south 19 times to help others escape slavery • She successfully led her family and 300 other African Americans to safety in the North and Canada. • At one point the bounty for her capture was $40,000

18. Opposition • Government: placed a gag rule on discussing emancipation petitions from 1836-1844. • Northern politicians: some thought African Americans would take jobs from whites. • Southern whites: They believed slavery was vital to their economy. Used racism to validate their ideas.

19. http://www.history.com/videos/abolitionists-and-the-underground-railroadhttp://www.history.com/videos/abolitionists-and-the-underground-railroad

20. Slavery Today? • Does slavery still exist today? • http://www.freedomcenter.org/slavery-today/#