David Walker And The Abolitionist Movement

Although many important reforms were sweeping American society during the 19th century, arguably the most monumental reform occurring was the abolitionist movement. A growing number of Americans were willing to fight for an end to slavery. After all, how can a society based on freedom and natural rights have millions of enslaved peoples? A third of the slaves in the 19th century were children. The daily suffering of enslaved individuals was becoming less accepted by many Americans. The abolitionist or antislavery movement was a sore spot in American society. Most abolitionists were northerners, whilst most slave owners lived in the south. The southern economy relied much more heavily on the work of slaves as opposed to the north. An influx

Furthermore, the Northwest Ordinance banned slavery in the northwest territory in 1787. This was a gradual movement, however there are certain individuals who acted as catalysts for major changes in the movement. David Walker, a black freeman, published his Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World in 1829. He used religion and emotion in his call for the immediate abolition of slavery and equal rights. His outspoken manner was risky; however, his work was key in the spreading of abolitionist ideas to much of the North, including other future black abolitionist leaders. His appeal was quickly banned in the South. Another important figure in the abolitionist movement was William Lloyd Garrison; a white man from Boston. He published an antislavery newspaper beginning in 1831, founded the New England Anti-Slavery Society in 1832, and helped create the American Anti-Slavery Society in 1833. He even traveled overseas to gain support from Europeans. Perhaps the most famous abolitionist of the time was Frederick Douglass. His eloquent speaking style and vivid descriptions of life as a slave led to his prominence as a speaker and writer. He published his autobiography Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, and other works that shed light on the realities of

Many Christians pointed out the hypocrisy of slavery, stating that it was inherently non-Christian. As early as 1688 Mennonites in Germantown, Pennsylvania discussed the hypocrisy of slavery, writing “there is a saying, that we should do to all men like as we will be done ourselves; making no difference of what generation, descent, or colour they are.”1. Presbyterians actually divided into old and new “schools” because of disagreement about slavery; Baptists and Methodists had similar schisms. Overall, the Second Great Awakening led many Christians to become abolitionists. In this time of introspection and new ideas, empathy for slavery grew and thus had a positive effect on the abolitionist movement. However, southerners also used religion to justify slavery. They argued that slavery was accepted in the bible (old and new testament) and approved by God. Some white christian slaveholders felt they were doing a good deed because Christianity would control the less humane, black race. Obviously all of these arguments were