13190
Graduate Course
WiSe 16/17: Anti-Slavery Movements in American History
Maria-Michaela Hampf
Comments
The first attempts to end slavery in the American colonies came from Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson and some of his contemporaries. Benjamin Franklin, also a slaveholder for most of his life, was a leading member of the Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of Slavery, the first recognized organization for abolitionists in the United States. Following the American Revolution, Northern states abolished slavery, beginning with the 1777 constitution of Vermont, followed by Pennsylvania's gradual emancipation act in 1780. Although by 1804 all northern states had abolished had abolished slavery, some slaves remained in servitude for two more decades. Abolitionism, centered in the North, was led by social reformers, such as William Lloyd Garrison, founder of the American Anti-Slavery Society; writers like John Greenleaf Whittier and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Black activists included former slaves such as Frederick Douglass and free blacks alike. In the South the underground railroad helped slaves to escape to the North, to Canada and to Mexico. This secret organization was run by former slaves like Harriet Tubman, free African Americans and white supporters who facilitated the flight of roughly 40.000 people over two decades. At about the same time, religious abolitionists such as the Gileadites took up armed resistance and fought during “bleeding Kansas” against the interests of the slaveowners. The Civil War ended slavery officially, but its effects on the American nation linger on until today. close
15 Class schedule
Regular appointments
Mon, 2016-10-17 10:00 - 12:00
Mon, 2016-10-24 10:00 - 12:00
Mon, 2016-10-31 10:00 - 12:00
Mon, 2016-11-07 10:00 - 12:00
Mon, 2016-11-14 10:00 - 12:00
Mon, 2016-11-21 10:00 - 12:00
Mon, 2016-11-28 10:00 - 12:00
Mon, 2016-12-05 10:00 - 12:00
Mon, 2016-12-12 10:00 - 12:00
Mon, 2017-01-09 10:00 - 12:00
Mon, 2017-01-16 10:00 - 12:00
Mon, 2017-01-23 10:00 - 12:00
Mon, 2017-01-30 10:00 - 12:00
Mon, 2017-02-06 10:00 - 12:00
Mon, 2017-02-13 10:00 - 12:00