abolitionism and sectionalism

Abolitionism and SectionalismThe Road to the Civil War

Created by Denise Dooley-Albemarle Road Middle School, Charlotte, NC

Abolitionist• Abolitionist believed slavery should be

abolished.• Most abolitionist lived in the north; however,

there were abolitionist that lived in the south as well.

• Many escaped slaves moved north and became abolitionist.

• They gave speeches and published books and pamphlets denouncing slavery.

• The movement to end slavery was called abolitionism, it gained momentum around 1820.


Frederick Douglas• Frederick Douglass

was one of the foremost leaders of the abolitionist movement.

• Although born a slave he became recognized as one of America's first great black speakers.

• He won world fame when his autobiography was publicized in 1845.


David Walker• Was born the son of a

free mother and enslaved father in Wilmington, NC.

• Moved to Boston and became active in the abolitionist movement.

• Published a pamphlet that showed the cruelty of slavery.

• Walkers book was banned in the south.


Slave Codes• As a result of Walker’s book southern

states enacted slave codes.

• Slaves codes were strict laws that forbade educating slaves and kept them from leaving the plantation without the owner’s permission.

• Slave codes upset many slaves and abolitionists.


Nat Turner• Was slave and a preacher in Southampton

County Virginia, that believed God sent him a message to free the slaves.

• This was to be a massive uprising but in August 1831 he gathered only about 75 slaves for the rebellion.

• The rebellion killed about 50 whites, including a child.

• Nat Turner was hanged in November, 1831.


Nat Turner


Harriet Tubman• Born a slave she was

brutally abused by her master.

• She escaped north along the underground railroad.

• She returned some 19 odd times and helped hundreds of slaves escaped to freedom using the underground railroad.


Underground Railroad• Abolitionist formed a loose network of people

that would protect escaped slaves as they traveled from the south into the freedom of the Northern regions and Canada.

• Escaped slaves would travel on foot, by boat, horseback, or wagon led by people called conductors.

• Participants/Conductors in the railroad used signals such as handshakes, and lanterns in the window to let slaves know they kept a safe house.

• Slaves also used songs and quilts to communicate when and where to escape safely.


President James K. Polk (1845-1849)• Born in Mecklenburg

County North Carolina.• Actively pursued

westward expansion and manifest destiny.

• Under his presidency the territories of Oregon, California, and Texas were added to the union.

• These new territories raised the question of whether slavery should be allowed in the new territory.


Harriet Beecher Stowe• Harriet Beecher

Stowe cared deeply about human rights. Her family was active in the Underground Railroad.

• Stowe decided to write a fictional story about slavery and sent it to the editor of an anti-slavery weekly.


http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/reform/jb_reform_beecher_1_e.html

Uncle Tom’s Cabin• People started to discuss Uncle Tom's Cabin

and pass around the story. • Three hundred thousand copies were sold the

first year, and a half-million copies by 1857. Before long it seemed that everyone had read it, including the president of the United States!

• The book divided people into those who wished to abolish slavery (abolitionists) and those who wished to maintain slavery (anti-abolitionists), it is often listed as one of the causes of the Civil War.


John Brown• John Brown was a preacher from Ohio.

• He was passionate about freeing slaves.

• He had a plan to arm slaves to fight for their freedom.

• On October 16, 1859, he led 21 men on a raid of the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia.


North vs. South (Sectionalism)• The economy of the North along with

the abolitionist movement in the north led the South to believe the plantation system and their way of life was under attack.

• The 1850’s became a turbulent times for America. The issue of slavery would eventually lead to war.


Laws• As abolitionist worked to end slavery

states in the south passed laws were intended to maintain the institution.

• North Carolina was no exception, the North Carolina General Assembly passed laws that were meant to enforce slavery.


Sources• http://schools-wikipedia.org/wp/j/James_K._Polk.htm

• http://www.frederickdouglass.org/

• http://www.africawithin.com/bios/walker_appeal.htm

• http://www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/tubman/aa_tubman_subj.html

• http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/reform/jb_reform_beecher_1_e.html

• http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/johnbrown/brownhome.html


http://schools-wikipedia.org/wp/j/James_K._Polk.htm

abolitionism and sectionalism

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