Slavery was an essential establishment supportive of the agrarian economy of the 11 southern states of America, as evidenced by the steady growth of the number of slaves. As the number of slaves reached four million towards the 1860s, calls to abolish said practice grew stronger. Resentment between those who are keen to retain slavery and those who are in favor of the abolition developed and eventually cultivated divisiveness within the nation (Brody & Henretta, 2010).
Verily, proponents of abolitionism believed that removing slavery from the system would generate lasting peace between states in the North and South. They also agreed that changing economic circumstances are compelling factors to end slavery in America. Industries that required intense labor have begun switching to methods that entailed lesser work from slaves. Moving away from the use of slaves to advance the nation’s economy is the focus of such developments. Consequently, proponents were able to prove that the economy can move forward without heavy reliance on slaves. Southerners, on the other hand, met such changes with dissent (Brody & Henretta, 2010).
Proponents of abolition created policies that led to the freedom of slaves in the North, starting from the north of Ohio River. To augment the abolitionist movement, supporters led the formation of groups such as the New York Manumission Society, which helped in hastening the process of slave emancipation in key areas of the nation (Brody & Henretta, 2010).
The abolitionist movement gradually met success. They first flourished throughout the northern states and spread towards the South. While significant rates of slave freedom figured in the North, states and territories in the Southwest proved to be the most aversive to reformation. Anti-abolitionists sought tighter measures that would continue to bind the freedom of slaves (Brody & Henretta, 2010).
Reference
Brody, D., & Henretta, J. (2010). America: A concise history (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s.
