Role of women in the abolition of slavery in the 19th century
The slavery abolition movement of the 19th century entailed an organized effort that focused on ending the practice of slavery in the United States. Despite the abolition movement taking the form of a religious movement and organization, it gained increased controversy in the political sphere. The campaign led to increased division in the United States, mainly with the other states failing to agree with the southern states. The movement gained a large number of supporters and critiques who ended up engaging in violent and heated debated about the stand that the country would take on the issue of slavery. These debates and in some cases, ended in significant confrontations. Following the hatred that emerged and the divisiveness that the country experienced, there arose the American civil war, and eventually the end of slavery in the United States. This paper seeks to explore roles played by women towards the eradication of slavery in the 9th century.
What motivated women to become involved in the abolition movement
Women in the 19th century in the United States highly became engaged in the move towards the abolition of slavery in the United States. The motivation factors that led to the participation of the women in the removal of slavery included the fact that efforts to end colonialization and further return the slaves, most of whom were Africans who were working in plantations in the United States back to Africa. The women gained motivation through the desire to facilitate the emancipation of the slaves into the society and end the increased racial prejudice that had, for a long time, dominated the United States (Larkin, 4). These abolitionists viewed slavery as a moral evil that was not acceptable in society. They were also pushed by religious believers and views that were highly against the practice of slavery (Larkin, 6). Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
How did they contribute to the movement to abolish slavery?
The move of the women towards the ending of slavery took various forms. Among the leading ways through which the women sought to ensure the end of slavery included the formation of societies and organizations that seek to fights against slavery in the United States. Through these societies, the women managed to organize meetings, raised funds that they used in both states and national awareness activities, and further circulated publications that advocated the end of slavery. The women also contributed to the movement through the organization of seminars that were attended by female abolitionists to devise ways of ending slavery. These, for instance, include the organizations of conventions through which the women formed executive committees, issued publications and resolutions, in addition to the launching of a campaign aimed towards the collection of signatures to support antislavery petitions. The women further petitioned the congress as a way of seeking to end the practice of slavery, the move to petition the congress was mainly contributed to by the fact the women did not have the right to vote at the time (Larkin, 12).
Who were some of the key women in the movement?
The movement towards the abolition of slavery included a high number of women, mainly those who come from influential and wealthy backgrounds. Among the key women who played significant roles towards the abolition of slavery included active abolitionists who oversaw the task of organizing the groups and ensuring the groups remained motivated and energized towards the abolition campaigns (Larkin, 11). These women conducted their roles through various means, including the production of hymns, children’s books, and stories that emphasized the message of antislavery (Larkin, 12). Also, they contributed in writing of tracts on slavery, and the sponsorship of the publication of antislavery articles. Additionally, some significantly bold women publicly spoke on antislavery. Some traveled across the country as agents of antislavery society. Some of the major influential women who promoted the movement included Catherine Beecher and Sarah J. Hale. They facilitated the campaign by leading the effort to expand the role of women by the provision of moral influence. Beecher is recognized as a prominent educator on the need for slavery abolition before the civil war (Digital History, 4). She engaged in the process through the writing of a highly regarded book on the subject. Hale participated in the process through her role as a successful females’ magazine editor.
How and why did the women’s rights movement emerge out of the movement to abolish slavery?
Following the engagement of women towards the abolition of slavery, the women’s rights movement emerged. This was because, as the women engaged in the drive to eradicate slavery, they realized that women’s rights as well were not well respected. The rights of the women at that time we also highly limited. For instance, the women were not represented in congress, in addition to the fact that female suffrage was not recognized. Following the engagement of women in the movement towards the abolition of slavery, the women became motivated to engage in the rights of women as well. The main reason for the emergence of the women’s rights movement was to facilitate equal rights between women and men.
What specific concerns and objectives were put forward by women’s rights activists?
The goals proposed by the women’s rights activists included issues of birth control. The women sought to get the right to use birth control and to have the divorce laws liberalized (Digital History, 6). Additionally, the women tried to have legal rights for married women. The objectives of the women also sought to have the educational rights of women promoted to ensure that the women managed to access education. The women also sought to ensure that women got the freedom and liberty to participate in electoral activities and voting. Furthermore, thorough the movement, the women tried to be granted the married women property laws that gave the married women the right to have control over income and property (Digital History, 12). Also, through the women’s rights campaigns, the women sought to have equal custody on children, and the right to sue and be sued in the case of a divorce.
In conclusion, following the increased move towards the ending of slavery in the 19th century. Women were highly instrumental in the move to ensure the end of racial prejudice. This saw a high number of women, mainly from privileged backgrounds engaging in the move towards the ending of slavery. The involvement of the women took various forms that were mainly aimed at elaborating on the evils of slavery. With the success of the abolition of slavery, the women’s rights movement emerged. The emergence of the movement was mainly focused on facilitating equal rights of the genders and the provision of the necessary privileges for women.
Work Cited
Digital History. Digital History, 2019, www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=2&psid=3539.
Larkin, Jack. “Historical Background on Antislavery and Women’s Rights 1830-1845.” Historical Background on Antislavery and Women’s Rights 1830-1845 | Teach US History, Old Sturbridge Inc., www.teachushistory.org/second-great-awakening-age-reform/articles/historical-background-antislavery-womens-rights-1830-1845.