Some histonans say that attacks by abolitionists actually strengthened sectionalism in the South instead of weakening it. How might the abolitionists have been contributing to the tensions arising over slavery? Provide two specific examples of the Southern response to the abolitionist attacks.
The abolitionists played a significant role in intensifying sectional tensions in the South rather than weakening them. Here are two specific examples of how their activities contributed to the escalating tensions over slavery:
1. Inciting Slave Rebellions: Some abolitionists openly called for slave revolts, which Southern slaveholders perceived as a direct threat to their economic and societal order. One prominent example is the Nat Turner rebellion in Virginia in 1831. Although not directly caused by abolitionist activities, Turner's revolt was inspired by the radical ideas of Northern abolitionists such as David Walker and William Lloyd Garrison, who advocated for slave uprisings. The revolt resulted in the brutal suppression of the rebellion and sparked significant fear and anger among Southern slaveholders, further solidifying their commitment to defending slavery and tightening control over enslaved individuals.
2. Distribution of Anti-Slavery Literature: Abolitionists published and distributed various anti-slavery materials, ranging from pamphlets to newspapers, which reached the Southern states. One notable example is Garrison's newspaper, The Liberator, known for its uncompromising stance against slavery. Southern postmasters, however, censored and banned these publications, viewing them as dangerous and incendiary. In response to the perceived threat, Southern states passed laws that prohibited the circulation of abolitionist literature, making it illegal to import or distribute such materials. These attempted suppressions of free speech and the press heightened tensions between the abolitionists and the South, deepening sectional rifts on the issue of slavery.
These examples illustrate how abolitionists' actions fueled Southern fears of slave insurrections and provoked defensive measures that restricted civil liberties, exacerbating the sectional tensions over slavery rather than softening them.