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The Abolition Of Slavery In The 19th Century

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During the middle of the 19th century The concept of self-ownership and the rights to enjoy the fruits of one’s own labors were becoming more and more ingrained in the American psyche and cosmology. People began to examine the rights of women, of workers, prisoners, the ill and insane, and the enslaved. In addition to the desire to live one’s life and enjoy each own resources, reform was called for that were thought to create a more wholesome culture for America. This time in American history saw the rise of utopian communities, new protestant churches and public schooling. People felt that they lived in a time of advanced ideals and optimism for the future; they felt they could make real change. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote in 1841:
“In the …show more content…
People had complained about slavery since the first colonial days of North America. But slavery had become seen as increasingly necessary in the deep south with the invention of the cotton gin. Many Southern Planters felt it was the best thing for everyone for the Africans to be protected and employed by whites. While Southerners became more committed to maintaining slavery, many Northerners began to see slavery as a moral evil. Slave up risings in the Caribbean and the example of the emancipation of slaves in Spanish America and in the British empire set precedence to the end of slavery. Gradual emancipation was one idea that failed to gain support in the United states; Southern Planters felt that Caribbean emancipation had been a failure since slaves did not remain working on the sugar plantations after gaining their freedom. (Foner, Give me Liberty! pg 403). Abolitionists also did not advocate for gradual emancipation, but for the reason that they believed the intuition was so wrong it should be ended all together. …show more content…
That he is the rightful owner of his own body?”
And..
“What to the American slave is your Fourth of July? I answer, a day that reveals to him more than all other days of the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim.” (454-455)
As Abolition became a red hot topic in American culture, women stepped out of the shadows to protest slavery (Foner, Voices of Freedom pg 242) This gave women a new understanding of their own subservient role in society. While some were condemned for immodesty These women laid the foundation for later women’s rights movements. (Foner, Give me Liberty! pg 451).
America before the civil war was finding her feet, figuring out what true liberty meant and what social standards were correct for the community are large. It was a time of contradiction with people arguing for rights and other arguing for restrictions that they believed would make life better. They were examining the constitution and using it to decide issues and argue points. Communities were challenging the status quo, leaving old ideas behind and deciding what new ideas were good. People were speaking up and advocating for real change and equality based on the US constitution and new ides of

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