How was William Lloyd Garrison a "pacifist" and also burned the Constitution, etc.? He seems pretty violent and liberal, not pacifistic, but the textbook calls him one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lloyd_Garrison
William Lloyd Garrison, an American abolitionist, is often described as a "pacifist" based on his advocacy for nonviolence as a means for achieving social change. However, it is important to understand the context and nuances of his beliefs.
Firstly, Garrison's pacifism was primarily directed towards promoting nonviolent means in the fight against slavery. He believed that the abolitionist cause should be pursued through peaceful persuasion, education, and moral appeals rather than through violent resistance. Garrison was a firm believer in the power of moral suasion and the spoken and written word to change public opinion.
On the other hand, Garrison's views on the Constitution and his approach to the government were more confrontational. He famously denounced the Constitution as a "covenant with death" and "an agreement with Hell" due to its protection of slavery. He argued that the Constitution's compromises with slavery were morally unjustifiable and called for its complete rejection.
Garrison's burning of the Constitution refers to a symbolic act aimed at drawing attention to the inherent injustice and immorality of the document's provisions related to slavery. It was a form of protest meant to challenge the American public's complacency with a legal framework that perpetuated human bondage.
While some may view his actions as extreme, it is essential to understand that Garrison's primary goal was the abolition of slavery, and he saw the Constitution as an impediment to that cause. He believed that a clear rejection of the Constitution's pro-slavery clauses was necessary to bring about meaningful change.
However, it is important to note that Garrison's pacifism and his confrontational stance towards the Constitution are not mutually exclusive. His pacifism was primarily focused on opposing violence and promoting nonviolent means for achieving change. His vocal criticism of the Constitution was a part of his broader strategy to expose and condemn the institutionalized racism and oppression perpetuated by the document.
In conclusion, while William Lloyd Garrison may be described as a pacifist due to his commitment to nonviolent means in the fight against slavery, his condemnation of the Constitution and his confrontational approach to the government highlight his radical and unyielding stance against the institution of slavery.