How the Abolitionist Movement Influenced the Womens Right Movement - Essay Example

How the Abolitionist Movement Influenced the Women’s Right Movement Introduction The declaration of the emancipation by President Abraham Lincoln and the American civil war that pitied pro slavery and those against it shaped the American movement history in a number of ways. This movement used different means to fight for the release of slaves and to end slavery in the country, efforts that were rewarded when the slave trade was ended through the emancipation declaration, which paved the way for the release of the slave trade. Women played an active role in the abolitionist movement in the country and when the movement achieved their objectives, the women continued with a new course through the agitation for equal rights with the men. These included the rights to vote, the right to vie for different offices and the right to be treated equal with the men irrespective of their gender. This led to the development of the women’s right movement, a movement that changed the political alignment and environment in the United States. The development of the women’s right movement began immediately after the abolition of the slave trade and most of the founding members were active freedom fighters in the abolitionist movement. In this paper, the impacts of the abolitionist movement and the manner in which it shaped the formation of the women’s right movement will be determined. The pioneer leaders of the Women’s right movement who previously served in the abolitionist movement will be discussed to show the connection between the two movements and how one inspired the other. The abolitionist movement played an essential role in inspiring the development of the women’s right and women suffrage movement of the 19th century. How the abolitionist movement influenced the women’s right movement Women’s right movement was based on the principles and experience of the founding mothers who had witnessed the efforts of the abolitionist freedom fighters in their effort to achieve social justice (Maternal association 54). The need to improve human condition and remove the element of slavery within the society of the United States oiled the abolitionist freedom movement and this motivated the formation of other groups that agitated for the attainment of equal social justice for all irrespective of the color and race. The history of feminism in the United States can be better understood by investigating the connection between the women suffrage movement and the abolitionist movement. During the active years of the abolitionist movement before the end of the civil war, many women leaders participated as facilitators and spies for the men who were active in the movement (Wright 1821). Elizabeth Stanton and Lucretia Moth were among some of the women who actively participated in the abolitionist movement but later developed the ideals of an equal American society. Through this exposure at the abolitionist movement, the women gained massive experiences and skills in political activism that would be later essential in their fight for social justice for the women. As they assisted the freed slaves to find a better living and engage in other activities after being freed from the york of slavery, the women developed a strong network of women that world be beneficial during their feminism movement (Maternal association 54). Through their participation in the anti-slavery crusade, women were exposed to different political pressures, approaches and decisions that would be beneficial in establishing and leading the feminist movement in the country. During the time when the abolitionist movement was begun, most women were either engaged in other activities or ignored politics. However, the abolitionist movement provided the women with an opportunity to engage in political movements and become leaders through political agitation. Petitioning, public speaking, editorial writing and the organization of activists into groups were some of the activities that the abolitionists exposed the women of the United States into (Wright 1821). These activities provided women with an opportunity to step into the political arena and abandon their traditional roles as mothers and housekeepers into activism. The abolitionist movement thus acted as a platform to elevate the status of the women and alienate the notion that the place of women was in the kitchen and the homes. According to Angelina Grimke who address the Philadelphia convention of 1838, all the women who attended the convention has a work to do and this did not depend on the situation or the influence of the individual but their abilities and determination to achieve social justice for the united states. The American civil war that took place during the reigns of president Abraham Lincoln led to the issuance of the emancipation proclamation. The states affected were part of those that were still rebelling against the federal government under Lincoln. Apart from preparing the path towards the complete abolition of the slave trade in the United States, the emancipation proclamation led to the enrolment of former slaves into paid service. The union army under the federal government was instructed to ensure that the freedom of the freed slaves was observed (Maternal association 54). The arrival of black Africans into the American continent ushered a new episode into the history of the continent. This group of immigrants later gained freedom with the abolition of slave trade and slavery in the continent. The new gained freedom provided an opportunity for the African natives to develop and form a community within the eastern shores. With their continual growth, the black Americans amassed wealth and influence before the native whites and Indians. The behaviours, practises and social life of the African and Native Americans shaped the colonial America in several aspects. At the same time, with their divergent social and cultural beliefs, the colonial America also contributed immensely in shaping the practises of both the two races (Wright 1821). The development of the domestic ideologies and ideas that revolved around the roles of women during the slavery movements also led to the increase in the participation of women in right’s movements. Hurriet Tubman, Mott and Stanton were pioneer abolitionists who participated in the emancipation of the black slaves during the civil war. Through their contribution, a number of women were freed from the York of slavery and later joined the movement to press for the release of the other women. Through their efforts, a number of women were released and this enabled them to increase the vibrancy of the women’s right movement in the United States. The abolitionist movement differed in principle from the women’s right movement but provided a better ground for the development of the freed women who later assumed the role of activists in the suffrage movement (Wright 1821). The twenty first century American culture can be highly attributed to the struggle and input of the black and Native Americans. The black Americans received a very hostile reception in which they were treated more like underdogs. They were barred from participating in societal activities, nor even serving in a position of authority above a white American. Random killing by racial groups became an order of the day for the black Americans. However, despite the bleak future that faced them, the African Americans changed the course of their history and that of the continent for good. The fight that the African American embraced enabled them to change from being the American slaves and workers to being the American citizens. Despite of the weaknesses that nature presented them with, the African Americans embody the true struggle of democratic freedom and equality for all Americans (advocate of moral reforms 44). Even though it did not outlaw slave trade directly, the former slaves were provided with an opportunity to empower themselves through getting enlisted into paid service. To help in the abolition of the slavery through the defeat of the south, most of the former slaves also joined the union army to fight against the rebellious states. This strengthened the union army further and shortened the period of the war thereafter. After this proclamation, over 20,000 slaves were freed, and others subdued by the rebellious states emancipated (“Hints to young ladies on an important subject” 115). Prior to the proclamation by President Lincoln, the freedom of runaway slaves was not recognized. As a result, a number of slaves who escaped would be held in cams or returned to their masters. As a result, the north outlawed slavery and slave trade while the south depended on slave trade for their cotton plantations. As a result, a large population of black slaves were owned and manipulated by southern plantation owners who exposed them to deplorable conditions. The southern also enacted strong pro-slavery laws which provided legal support for the owners of slaves and gave room for the development and growth of slave trade (advocate of moral reforms 44). While this movement was well towards achieving its course and attaining its objectives, the women’s role became more pronounced and the activism developed a new principle. While the abolitionist movement was fighting against the enslavement of blacks of all genders, the women’s movement revolved around the development of social justice for women of all races. During this time, women were denied the right to vote vie or even assume certain public offices and this was practiced across the races (“The Advocate of Moral Reform”). This as a result defined the women’s movement and led to the development of a multicultural movement whose aim was to advocate for social justice and equality for all. The women’s right convention held in the summer of 1848 by former abolitionist movement members Stanton and Mott in Seneca Falls in New York provided the foundation for the development of the women’s suffrage and rights movement (“Hints to young ladies on an important subject” 115). The convention led to the drafting of the declaration of principles, a document that was based significantly on the declaration of independence and one that laid the ground for the fair and equal treatment of women. Through this convention, the conveners implored women to realize that it was their personal duties to fight for equal treatment and opportunities in the country. Through the document that was developed by former abolitionist movement members, many women were inspired, this strengthened the women ’s rights, and women ’s suffrage activists of the 19th century (advocate of moral reforms 44). The black movement in the United States did not just involve the contribution of men like Booker but of women like Harriet Tubman. Born in 1829, Tubman grew to become one of the pioneer African American abolitionists and the spy of the union army during the civil war. One of the major contributions that she has been lauded for is the establishment of the Underground Railroad, a network that assisted freed slaves to re-establish their lives. As a conductor with the Underground Railroad, Tubman used the opportunity to transport over 300 freed slaves to other parts of the country (“The Advocate of Moral Reform”). As the civil war was unfolding, Tubman was a nurse with the union army, and this enabled her to provide crucial information to the army. She also assisted the blacks that were freed or who escaped to navigate through the rough terrains of South Carolina. With the support of other women like Elizabeth Cady and Susan Antony, Tubman promoted the rights of the women in the country. This laid the foundation for the black women movement and other women based associations that advocated for equality. Before her demise, Tubman helped in the construction of a home that assisted the aged and the needy slaves. Most of the freed slaves who had no place to call home were accommodated here while the homeless aged women also found refuge in the home. Tubman was instrumental in the abolition of the slave trade and fight for recognition and dignity of the black women of the United States (“Hints to young ladies on an important subject” 115). Conclusion The abolitionist movement of the 18th and 19th century provide ground for the development of the women’s right movement of the 19th century which led in the fight for social justice for women. The development of the domestic ideologies and ideas that revolved around the roles of women during the slavery movements also led to the increase in the participation of women in right’s movements (Ladies literature in the nineteenth century). Hurriet Tubman, Mott and Stanton were pioneer abolitionists who participated in the emancipation of the black slaves during the civil war (advocate of moral reforms 44). Through their contribution, a number of women were freed from the York of slavery and later joined the movement to press for the release of the other women. Through their efforts, a number of women were released and this enabled them to increase the vibrancy of the women’s right movement in the United States (Origins of the women’s right movement). The abolitionist movement differed in principle from the women’s right movement but provided a better ground for the development of the freed women who later assumed the role of activists in the suffrage movement. The abolitionist focused on the freeing of men and women from actual slavery and providing them with better economic activities which dignified the fact that they were human. The women’s right movement on the other hand saw slavery in the free women who were not allowed to vote, vie and express themselves freely. The movement thus aimed to improve the status of free women who were enslaved through social injustice bondages. Work cited The Advocate of Moral Reform: A Monthly Periodical. Belfast: n.d, 1835. Print. Wright, Frances. Views of Society and Manners in America in a Series of Letters from That Country to a Friend in England, during the Years 1818, 1819, and 1820. New York: E. Bliss and E. White, 1821. Print. Maternal association, advocate of moral reform, p.54. 1849. Print. Important lectures to female editorial, advocate of moral reforms, p. 44. 1939. Print. Hints to young ladies on an important subject, advocate of moral reform, p.115. 1840. Print. Origins of the women’s right movement. n.d. Print. Ladies literature in the nineteenth century. n.d. Print. Read More