some historians say that attacks by abolonists actually strengthen sectionalism in south instead of weakening it.
How might the abolitionists have been contributing to the tensions arising over slavery?
The abolitionists' actions and beliefs could have contributed to the tensions arising over slavery in the following ways:
1. Moral Opposition: Abolitionists strongly believed that slavery was a moral evil and actively campaigned for its immediate end. Their uncompromising stance threatened the institution of slavery and deeply offended Southern slaveholders who saw it as an attack on their way of life and property rights.
2. Slave Rebellions: Some abolitionists openly supported and even instigated slave rebellions, such as the Nat Turner rebellion in 1831. These incidents of violence made Southerners fear that the abolitionist movement would incite more uprisings, endangering their lives and property.
3. Economic Impact: The abolitionist message threatened the South's economy, heavily reliant on slave-based agriculture. Abolitionists argued for a shift towards free labor and the use of wage workers, which jeopardized the economic prosperity and social hierarchy in the South. This economic threat added to the tensions between the North and South.
4. Political Agitation: Abolitionists were actively involved in politics and used their influence to push for legislation against the expansion of slavery. Their efforts, such as the formation of abolitionist political parties like the Liberty Party, heightened political divisiveness and fuelled fears among Southerners that their interests were being marginalized.
5. Underground Railroad: The participation of abolitionists in the Underground Railroad, a network aiding escaped slaves in finding freedom, increased tensions. Southerners were outraged by these covert activities, viewing them as illegal and undermining the rights of slaveholders.
6. Publication of Incendiary Literature: Abolitionists published pamphlets, newspapers, and books that exposed the horrors of slavery and disseminated their message across the country. These publications, such as Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, portrayed slavery as a dehumanizing institution, further provoking Southern anger and apprehension.
While abolitionists worked towards the emancipation of enslaved individuals, their methods and perspectives clashed with the social, economic, and political fabric of the South. This opposition likely contributed to the strengthening of sectionalism and the growing tensions over slavery.