The majority of abolitionists activity happened in the United States and Great Britain, but it also happened in other countries as well. Antislavery began in the colonial days in the United States. The American Colonization Society was founded in 1817. It led antislavery protests during the early 1800's. Its goal was to send the free slaves to Liberia, Africa. The abolition movement slowly went throughout the Northern United States, even though the southern states didn't want that to happen. .
This movement entered a new stage in 1840, when some of its leaders entered politics and founded the Liberty Party. A man by the name of James G. Birney, ran for president of this party in 1840 and 1844. Abolitionists became important to the Free Soil Party in 1848. After 1854, many abolitionists supported the Republican Party. .
Abolitionists were more interested in their cause than in political offices, once they entered politics. They linked political protest with direct action. Sometimes their homes even became stations on the underground railroad. This helped slaves that were trying to get to the free states or to Canada. Even after abolitionists entered politics, they remained more interested in their cause than in political offices. They combined political protest with direct action. Their homes often became stations on the Underground Railroad, which helped slaves fleeing to the free states or to Canada.
After the Civil War began in 1861, abolitionists rallied to the Union cause. They rejoiced when President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, declaring the slaves free in many parts of the South. In 1865, the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery in the country. Large numbers of abolitionists then joined the fight to win social and political equality for blacks.
Abolitionist of the Abolition Movement .
These abolitionists fought to have slavery abolished:.
