Jacobs uses logos and pathos to appeal to the sentiment of her readers. Hence, her autobiographical narrative appeals to white audiences, especially potential abolitionists, who had the political authority to combat slavery. Indeed, Harriet Jacobs devotes her life to become an abolitionist speaker to fight for what she and other slaves around her deserve: physical and mental
Nineteenth century abolitionists shared many of the philosophies of the transcendentalists, and based on the beliefs of individual rights, they fought to free the slaves in the south and end slavery in the in the united states entirely. This movement set the basis for some of the most memorable and revolutionary movements in American history, and also provided the spark to ignite the roaring fire that was the Civil war. Two influential social reformers that led to the Abolitionist movement were William Lloyd Garrison and Wendell Phillips. Garrison’s approach to demand change was very unique, he began in his attack by admitting that he is harsh, but then goes on to use that to his advantage. He accurately illustrated the harsh realities that the slaves endured and made a lasting impression by making the point that slaves are not property to be owned and sold, that they are people and they deserve to be treated like human beings.
Her book Uncle Tom's Cabin, published in 1852, showed not only how slavery brutalized the men and women who were forced to endure it, but also how the establishment of slavery affected slaveholders. Stowe personalized the experiences and effects of slavery and convinced many Americans that slavery was morally wrong. This book later served as fuel to the abolitionist cause of ending the war. Uncle Tom's Cabin is dominated by a single theme: the evil and immorality of slavery. While Stowe has other subthemes throughout her text, such as the moral authority of motherhood and the redeeming possibilities offered by Christianity, she emphasizes the connections between these and the horrors of slavery.
The act made any federal official who did not arrest a runaway slave liable to pay a fine. This was the most controversial part of the Compromise of 1850. Another key factor to the start of the Civil War was the publishing of the book “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Once Lincoln greeted Harriet Stowe as, “so you’re the little women who started the civil war”. Many people that read “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” became abolitionist and helped fight against slavery.
He valued freedom very much and made the point if there is no struggle than there is no progress. Douglass’s element of freedom was by educating the people in displaying the horrors of slavery and the harsh treatments. He made it his mission to exhibit how white slaveholders extend slavery by keeping their slaves oblivious. During the time when Douglass was writing, a lot of people really believed that slavery was something that was normal. They had the belief that blacks were integrally powerless of contributing in civil society and therefore would need to be kept as workers for whites.
By this time, slavery is a very hotly debated issue in America, even eventually leading to the Civil War. Thoreau obviously takes the position against slavery and tries to use his writing to try and convince the citizens of America to stand up against slavery and the laws that protect it. Thoreau often writes of the injustice that the government displays towards its people. For example, Thoreau writes, “Why does it not encourage its citizens to be on the alert to point out its faults, and do better than it would have them?” (184). Thoreau’s purpose is to convince the citizens of America to not follow the majority, but do what is felt to be morally right.
William Lloyd Garrison, Editor of The Liberator, was a key figure in the abolitionary movements. He founded many anti-slavery societies that were sometimes controversial. Many Northerners wanted to free all of the slaves at once. Other people argued for gradual emancipation. Southerners wanted to continue slavery.
Mary P. O’Malley HIST 365 Prof. Nation June 22, 2008 Essay Exam 3 What was the basis of the pro-slavery defense in the South? In the early to mid-1800’s, white southern leaders began to defend themselves against what they perceived as attacks against their way of life and the “peculiar institution”, which facilitated it. As the abolitionist movement grew, Southern leaders defended slavery citing, Biblical, historical, sociological, political, and economic justifications, which were all ultimately tied to race. The Bible was commonly cited in pro-slavery arguments. In the Old Testament, God’s chosen people, the Israelites, were slaveholders, and it was argued that Africans were descendents of Hamm, whose curse was to live in servitude to his brothers.
Select one of the poems and explain why the poet is effective in presenting his message. Consider such elements: rhythm, rhyme, diction, imagery, and purpose. In this Petrarchan sonnet, Dunbar makes clear his message and expression of the pain of racial injustices after the Civil War. Douglass, as depicted as a great leader, is called upon for comfort through this problem that America faces. The purpose of this poem I feel is to represent the struggles the African Americans had to endure during their time being slaves while offering hope for the black community, letting the reader knows that one day someone will lead them out of this struggle and into their promise land.
The Southern anti-slavery movement made successful efforts in freeing slaves through escape “than in promoting emancipation” (Hine et al. 2011). Nat Turner’s revolt and David Walker’s Appeal, encouraged freedom by way of violence and successfully gained attention from Northern abolitionist and Southern slaveholders. Slaveholders in the South believed freeing blacks would disrupt their society by encouraging “resistance and revolt” (Hine et al. 2011) amongst Blacks, who were meant to be enslaved.