Note: Your teacher will grade your responses to the following question to ensure you receive proper credit for your answer.
Short Answer
Some historians 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 might have contributed to the tensions arising over slavery in the following ways:
1. By challenging the institution of slavery: Abolitionists openly criticized the institution of slavery, arguing that it was morally wrong and an infringement on human rights. This challenged the economic and social foundations of the South, where slavery was deeply entrenched. It threatened the livelihoods of Southern slaveholders, who heavily relied on the forced labor of enslaved individuals for their profitability. This led to a defensive response from the South, intensifying sectional tensions.
2. By promoting insurrection and violence: Some abolitionists advocated for armed rebellions and slave uprisings as a means to overthrow slavery. For example, Nat Turner's Rebellion in 1831 involved a group of enslaved individuals who killed several white slaveholders and their families. Such incidents fueled the fear and paranoia among Southern slaveholders, who responded by tightening control over slaves through stricter laws and regulations. This suppression of potential uprisings further deepened sectional divisions and increased tensions between the North and the South.
Examples of the Southern response to abolitionist attacks include:
1. The passage of pro-slavery laws: In response to abolitionist criticisms, Southern states enacted laws to protect the institution of slavery and its supporters. For instance, states passed laws known as "slave codes" that restricted the rights of enslaved individuals and ensured greater control and punishment over them. By passing these laws, the South responded to the abolitionist attacks, reinforcing their commitment to maintaining and defending slavery.
2. Violence against abolitionists: In some instances, Southern mobs carried out acts of violence against abolitionists and their publications. For example, Elijah P. Lovejoy, an abolitionist newspaper editor, was killed in Alton, Illinois, in 1837 by a pro-slavery mob that opposed his views. These acts of violence aimed to intimidate and silence abolitionist voices, indicating the Southern resistance towards any challenges to the institution of slavery.