The 18th-century Enlightenment was an era that symbolized the desire to change social order of Europe citizens. The Church was thought to have been the source of truth and condemned any person that went against it, but people were beginning to think separately and independently from the Church. Thinkers of the Enlightenment provided new ideas based on reason, science, and valued humanity. In addition, writers of the Enlightenment intended to alter the relationship of people and government. Although many welcomed the Enlightenment, five movements reacted against the ideas of the era.
During the 1830s, abolitionists tried to reach and convert a mass audience. The main mission of these people was that they attempted to achieve immediate emancipation of all slaves and the ending of racial segregation and discrimination. Although abolitionist worked together and helped each other there were three that were the most recognizable. These three major abolitionists, Fredrick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, and John Brown all helped spark the feud between the North and the South. Fredrick Douglass, an African-American abolitionist showed his thoughts on slavery through the voice of a former slave.
The 55th Governor of South Carolina, George McDuffie, held strong views in his support of the institution of slavery. He used his address to the state legislature in 1835 to express his views on slavery and justifications for the institution. McDuffie used religion as a means for legitimizing slavery and continued to fight against external pressures to abolish the institution. McDuffie opened by recognizing his state's rights and the protection of its sovereignty from any foreign authority. Although he was likely targeting other nations, it seemed he was speaking mainly referring to the federal government.
These writings were intended to convince people that Africans were capable of learning and were equal to the Europeans. Abolitionists played a key role in the emancipation of slaves in the United States. Abolitionists made the evils of slavery known to people and made it a key political topic. They forced people to think of the morals being violated in slavery. Although most people did not think of African Americans as equals, Abolitionists provided a strong start to the equalization of all races.
Also known as the Second Great Awakening, the Abolitionist Movement swept through the colonies in the early 1830’s. This was a movement to abolish slavery and to give blacks their freedom as citizens. Many men and women, free and enslaved, fought for this cause and many were imprisoned or even killed for speaking out. If it were not for these brave people, slavery would still exist today. The Abolitionist Movement paved the way in eradicating slavery by pursuing moral and political avenues, providing the foundation for the Underground Railroad, and creating a voice for African Americans.
The northern states on the other hand recognized the inhumane nature of slavery and campaigned to establish equality for all citizens. In order to establish solid reasoning for their stance, both pro-slave and anti-slave groups turned to theological inspiration for their actions. The Bible inspired both pro-slavery advocates and anti-slavery abolitionists alike. Religion was used in order to justify slavery and also to condemn it. “The right to have a slave implies the right in some one to make a slave; that right must be equal and mutual, and this would resolve society into a state of perpetual war.” Senator William Steward, an anti-slavery supporter, issued this claim in his “There is a Higher Law than the Constitution” speech.
Puritans paved way to democracy by demanding religious choice from the Church of England. By getting freedom, the Puritans planned to for justice and good. Another reason Puritans living in the colonies wanted to break free from the Church of England was due to the fear of losing their religious liberty. The same fear would also play a major role of development of American nationalism. Unlike the Church of England, Puritans wanted to build a church one would join voluntarily and be active in the running of the congregation.
The differences are that Locke believed that when people gave up their rights they gave up there freedom to be safe. Rousseau believed that when people gave up their rights to the government they weren't giving up freedom, just exchanging it for security. Rousseau is more on the liberal side of the spectrum while Locke is on the conservative side. The basic differences between conservative and liberal are many. Liberals are more innovative and open to reform as opposing the conservatives being more set in their ways and to doing things in tradition.
Revolutions have been based off of Enlightenment ideals because they are used to benefit the majority not the rich elite. John Locke, and his book Two Treatises on Government, impacted the Enlightenment by spreading the ideals around the world, which influenced revolutions. Locke wrote that “the state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions” (Locke. sect 6). This ideal was the basis of the revolution sparked from Enlightenment ideals.
In 1820, states such as South Carolina were still pro-slavery and they instituted consequences to anyone that had anti-slavery material in South Carolina Abolition spread far and wide, changing everyone’s mindset of sl... ... middle of paper ... ...how slavery is cruel and that freedom is possible. Political and democratic views of this document would be Henry Clay’s presidency and how he for slavery while Richardson was aimed at liberty. Religious and moral views of this document would be how Richardson discussed his life as a slave and how individuals that become slaves develop a different mindset. Traditionally, Richardson explains what slavery is and how harsh it was back then for African Americans. Common sense that was analyzed by Richardson would be how he understood the freedom of slavery and understanding that there is more you can achieve if you’re willing to take risks.