The abolitionist movement's role in ending slavery in America and Europe

Abolitionist movement played a crucial role in destroying slavery from the United States and the European countries where the practice was legal and an acceptable institution. Right from the 1808 Atlantic slave trade act to the passage of the 1964 civil rights act, the abolitionist movement was instrumental in transforming America into a nation of equal rights for all, irrespective of race, sex, religion or nationality. Though this political achievement marked a big constitutional victory, the social reform, which had to follow, took a very long time.

The abolitionist movement was active in the eighteenth and the nineteenth centuries. From a purely a black resistance movement against their masters in the 16th century, the abolitionist movement gained strength and found active involvement from the white community during the nineteenth century. Among the various reasons, the active intervention of the church and the motives of freedom that characterized the American revolution, had a strong bearing in the development of the abolition movement. Gradually, social changes began to creep in, at first in the northern states and much later in the southern states. Ever since the American revolution, the nation underwent a gradual social shift, which changed a hierarchical society that promoted slave trade and slave labor to its present state of the land of freedom and equality for all. Let us briefly study the abolition movement in context of its impact in achieving this transformation.

The Abolition Movement

Though resistance from black slaves was always present and there were many escape episodes where the slaves freed themselves and settled into maroon communities, it was only in the late 18th century that the slaves as well as the escaped black people resisted the very concept of slavery. The northern and southern states were divided in their opinion on slavery and the first major victory for the abolition movement was achieved when the congress passed the resolution in 1808 to abolish slave trade with Africa. Even though procurement of slaves from Africa was stopped by this act, it did not put a stop to the drudged life of the slaves working in the southern plantations. The abolition movement gained in strength in the 1830's under the leadership of William Lloyd Garrison, whose strong anti-slavery sentiments and active involvement gave a new force to the movement. "I shall strenuously contend for the immediate enfranchisement of our slave population.... On this subject I do not wish to think, or speak, or write with moderation.... I am in earnest -- I will not equivocate -- I will not excuse -- I will not retreat a single inch and I WILL BE HEARD." [Howard Cincotta, 1994]. The American Anti-Slavery Society was instituted in 1832 and the membership grew up to 2,50,000 by 1838. However, this unity was not to last long as the women's equal rights policy pursued by Garrison did not find favor with most members of the AASS who were still conservative in their social outlook and were unwilling to look upon women as equal to men. Let us now look into the social changes that slowly came along with the abolition movement.

Social Changes

Racial amity

Another major social change that started to happen was the dissolution of apartheid. Though it must be understood that racial segregation continued in existence much long after the abolition of slavery, the cause for desegregation was initiated in the 1830's. Oberlin College, started in 1833, became the first ever College in the U.S. To admit black students and the first ever co education college. This was during the time when state laws did not permit black students in academic institutions. As a case in point is the closing down of the school for "young misses of color," started in 1833 by Prudence Crandall. The State assembly of Connecticut issued a law known as the 'Black Law', which barred black students from entering Connecticut to receive education. [NPS] Evangelical religious movements also supported abolition movement and considered segregation a sinful practice. The Oneida Institute and Knox College are other examples of academic institutions striving to promote racial amity. [James Brewer Stewart]

Constitutional Reforms

The most significant constitutional reform bought about by the abolitionist movement is the ratification of the thirteenth amendment in 1865, which comprehensively banned slavery from American land. This political achievement marked the big constitutional victory for the anti-slavery society but the social reform which had to occur took a very long time. Segregation between blacks and whites continued and it was not until 1955 when Rosa parks, a 42-year-old colored woman refused to give up her seat for a white passenger significant changes took place. This daring act made her the 'mother of civil rights movement' and instigated the Montgomery bus boycott, which continued for a record 382 days causing severe loss for the bus company. The 1956 Supreme Court decision challenged the bus segregation as a constitutional violation. Finally the 1964 civil rights act was passed which completely redefined America into a nation of equal rights for all irrespective of race, religion or nationality. [Girl Power]

Conclusion

Abolitionist movement played a crucial role in destroying slavery from the United States and the European countries where the practice was legal and an acceptable institution. The abolitionist movement triggered different social changes and forced the drafting of amendments that made slavery constitutionally unacceptable. Though it took another century or more before racial equality became a practical reality, by the late 1830's the abolitionist cause spearheaded by the Garrisonians (AASS), and much later the Civil war supported by president Abraham Lincoln, created a social revolution emphasizing the unacceptability of slavery. The passing of the thirteenth amendment completely banned slavery from American soil. The abolitionist movement not only succeeded in emancipated blacks but also served as the motivating force for women's equal rights movement. It goes without saying that the abolition movement is definitely the force behind other social movements such as the women's suffrage rights, the civil rights movement and in the transformation of America from a nation of segregation, oppression, and inequality to its present status as a melting pot of various cultures, race and religion with freedom and equal rights for all.