African-American Rights Movements: The Abolitionists

Inspired by conscience and guided by principle, abolitionists took a moral stand against slavery that produced one of America’s greatest victories for democracy.

Examines the diversity of opinion among African American abolitionists over the topics of women's rights, voting rights, black nationalism, and the use of violence in their struggle.

A collection of over 800 speeches by antebellum blacks and approximately 1,000 editorials from the period. These important documents provide a portrait of black involvement in the anti-slavery movement

Collection of resources about slavery in the U.S. in the 19th century reflecting arguments on both sides of the debate and include first person narratives, legal proceedings and decisions, anti-slavery tracts, religious sermons, and early secondary works.

Includes a map of the most common directions of escape taken on the Underground Railroad and maps of individual states that mark the location of the historic properties.

As early as 1786, groups assembled to help slaves escape lives of bondage. And, as the 19th century progressed, the emergent Underground Railroad grew more sophisticated in aiding escaped slaves. But how did it work?

Was the Underground Railroad truly a nationwide conspiracy with “conductors,” “agents,” and “depots,” or did popular imagination simply construct this figment out of a series of ad hoc, un­connected escapes? Were its principal heroes brave Southern blacks, or sympathetic Northern whites? The answers depend on which historians you believe.

Examines the myths and truths of the Underground Railroad.

American bondwoman who escaped from slavery in the South to become a leading abolitionist before the American Civil War. She led hundreds of bondmen to freedom in the North along the route of the Underground Railroad—an elaborate secret network of safe houses organized for that purpose.

African American who was one of the most eminent human rights leaders of the 19th century. His oratorical and literary brilliance thrust him into the forefront of the U.S. abolition movement, and he became the first black citizen to hold high rank in the U.S. government.

African American evangelist and reformer who applied her religious fervor to the abolitionist and women’s rights movements.