Abolitionism: history, ideology, and social movements

Abolitionism

William Lloyd Garrison is considered to be one of the most important figures of the abolitionist movement. Aside from his reformative ideas on the emancipation of black people and the freedom of slaves, his approach to sensitive issues such as the "peculiar institution" offered him a place in history as one of the most significant voices against slavery.

The context of the 19th century was marked by an increasing number of tensions which would eventually lead to the Civil War. Nonetheless, one of the most important issues of debate and argument was the slave issue. The discussions that were held during this time revolved around whether slavery should be abolished and if so, what should be the conditions and the methods to achieve this (Jenkins, 1997)

While in the late years of the 18th century, there was a general state of equilibrium between slave supporters and abolitionists, in the first part of the 19th century, the balance changed and more views were put for discussion. The main reason for this change was in fact the establishment of a powerful central government that impose laws meant to increase the control on slavery. In this sense, "the Fugitive Slave Law, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the attempt to annex Cuba as a slave state, the movement to reopen the slave trade, and the Dred Scott decision all seemed to underscore the power of slaveholding interests at the national level" (Ripley et al., 1993). Therefore the issue of slavery was no longer a matter of state choosing, but rather a national question.

In this context, the contribution of Garrison proved essential as one of the leading voices of the anti-slavery movement. His main arguments resided in the nonviolent means used to express his indignation and frustration in relation to the slave issue. He expressed himself both through actions such as being member of the American Anti-Slavery Society, as well as through writings. His contributions to the Quaker Genius of Universal Emancipation newspaper pointed out his strong anti-slavery beliefs as well as the means he considered necessary and appropriate to end the issue of slave ownership.

On the one hand, his main point was based on the intrinsic rights of the human being enshrined in the U.S. constitution. In this sense, he pointed out in the first issue of his paper, "The Liberator" that "Assenting to the "self-evident truth" maintained in the American Declaration of Independence, "that all men are created equal, and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights -- among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," I shall strenuously contend for the immediate enfranchisement of our slave population" (Garrison, 2007). Therefore, although he was known for his anti-slavery beliefs, he used the paper as a tool for expressing his views in this matter and for rallying support for the cause. In this sense, he adopted a non-violent means of manifestation.