Abolitionism • Abolitionism refers to the movement in the United states in the 19th Century to end racial slavery in the entire country. • Popular abolitionists included William Lloyd Garrison, Angelina and Sarah Grimke, and Theodore Dwight Weld. • The abolitionists wrote many articles and books as well as other propaganda to motivate the society against the institution of slavery. Important Publications • David Walker, a historian, published a stirring pamphlet called An Appeal the Colored Citizens of the World. • Walker called a national anti-slavery convention in Philadelphia • John Russwurm and Samuel D. Cornish published Freedom’s Journal, the first black newspaper, in New York. Nat Turner’s Rebellion • The anti-slavery publications of the time influenced a slave rebellion. • Nat Turner was a Virginia Slave who organized his namesake slave rebellion. • He believed that thousands of blacks would join his rebellion, however he only had about 60 followers. • The rebellion was put down by a local white militia after the rebels killed about 60 whites • The revolt triggered a bill that would gradually emancipate the slaves in Virginia, however, the bill was rejected in 1832. William Lloyd Garrison • Garrison was an abolitionist printer from Massachusetts. • Garrison advocated the equality of all humans by race as well as gender. • He helped form the American Anti-Slavery Society. • He is responsible for such abolitionist works as The Liberator and the Genius of Universal Emancipation. Weld and The Grimke Sisters • Theodore Dwight Weld was a minister who preached the moral responsibility of all Americans for slavery. • Along with Garrison he helped form the AASS. • The Grimke sisters worked with Weld (especially Angelina) and together they published The Bible Against Slavery. Opposition and Internal Conflict • Even though the Abolitionist Movement was becoming very popular, only a few whites supported it. • Many northern workers feared black competition in the job market. • The gag rule was created in the House of Representatives, which tabled all anti-slavery petitions so they did not become a subject of debate in the House. • Many believed that Abolitionist Movement was a bit too extreme. .