Anti-Slavery Movement on Womens Rights
Question 3: How did the anti-slavery movement influence the women’s rights movement? According to “The Journey: A History of the African American Experience Pt. 1”, abolition is defined as total and immediate ending of slavery. The movement to abolish slavery in the United States began in the 18th century. Some whites believed it was wrong to want freedom from England and still engage in slavery. Others believed that the act of slavery was moral and defended by God. Conflicting beliefs on slavery started various abolitionist attempts that eventually grey into the anti-slavery movement (The Journey, pg. 342). The purpose of the anti-slavery abolitionist movement was to end slavery, and racial prejudice. Abolitionists were targeted by middle-class citizens who had formed anti-abolitionist organizations. In the beginning, being an active abolitionist meant facing harsh ridicule, violence, prejudice, and discrimination. As the years went on, negativity towards abolitionist still existed, but anti-slavery became a popular and safer cause to defend. As the anti-slavery movement expanded, the anti-slavery organization split into two separate organizations. The American Anti-Slavery Society believed that political action was not the appropriate way to address abolition. They also believed that women had every right to be involved in the anti-slavery movement. Some abolitionist thought that using politics would be the most effective way to execute abolition. These members also believed that involving women would conflict with the cause and drive supporters away. Members against women involvement removed themselves from The American Anti-Slavery Society in 1840 after a woman, Abigal Kelly, was nominated to hold a leadership position. These rouge members formed The American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, which denied women membership (Anti-Slavery and Women’s Rights 1830-1845). The attempt to silence women within the anti-slavery movement led to the creation of