Wendell Phillips: A Leading Reformer for the Abolishment of Slavery

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Wendell Phillips was a leading reformer for the abolishment of slavery and was known as a passionate abolitionist who was willing to risk his own future to defend the cause he firmly believed in. He was born on November 29, 1811, the son of a wealthy Boston family. With a background of attending the famous Boston Latin School as a kid and later on obtaining a degree from Harvard Law School in 1834. Phillips did not consider himself a reformer until the Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society where he heard William Lloyd Garrison speak. He eventually became secretary of the Anti-Slavery group.
Phillips supported the abolishment of slavery. He thought that America should terminate the institute of slavery once in for all. He was particularly critical of the Constitutions compromises about slavery as well as limitations put on abolitionist to seek political action. Furthermore, he believed that the emancipation of slaves was the single leading obligation of the government, even more vital than the preservation of the Union. Not simply did he advocate for the freedom of slaves, but he also disputed for black suffrage and equal rights for African Americans, Women and Native Americans and rights for laborers and wage workers. For the most part Phillips was a peaceful reformer but in the 1850’s he became radical. During the 1840’s, he regularly attended conventions such as the World Anti-Slavery Convention in London that advocated the freedom of slaves. In years foreshadowing the Civil War, he became more aggressive, with events like Harpers Ferry Raid that subsidized his presence as a radical leader. However, after the war, he returned to being a more passive reformer by serving as a lecturer and public speaker. He heavily advocated for the...

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...y African Americans are not slaves they are citizens, voters, and have same rights to school as any other ethnicity in the United States today. So he did not only pat the way for African Americans but for everyone in. Also the labor reforms that he supported which include minimum wage that were no fulfill became later on and are still in place today. Similarly, his advocacy for women’s suffrage ultimately became part of the Constitution with the 19th Amendment.
Society overall has significantly benefited by Wendell Phillips reforms for equality in all classes. In a way he was ahead of his time for believing everyone had equal opportunity not taking importance of one’s race, social class or gender but the fact of being human beings. He wanted the world to change so he decided to take a stance and leave his career and life behind to make a real difference in society.

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