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.
I need the right answer two specific examples of the southern response to the abolitionist attacks. I need an 100% on this question.
While it is important to note that historians may have differing viewpoints on the impact of abolitionist attacks on sectionalism, it is generally agreed that certain actions taken by abolitionists did contribute to tensions over slavery. Two specific examples of the Southern response to abolitionist attacks are:
1. The Slave Power Conspiracy: Southern states and pro-slavery advocates accused abolitionists of being part of a larger conspiracy to destroy the Southern way of life. They argued that the abolitionist movement sought not only to end slavery but also to dismantle the entire Southern economy and overturn the social order. This perception of an imminent threat led to increased defensiveness and a deepening commitment to pro-slavery views in the South.
2. The Growth of Pro-Slavery Vigilantism: Abolitionist publications, such as newspapers and pamphlets, were often seen as incendiary and provocative by Southerners due to their criticism of slavery. This resentment sometimes led to violent responses from pro-slavery mobs who took matters into their own hands. One prominent example is the 1837 Elijah Lovejoy incident, where a white abolitionist and newspaper editor was murdered by a pro-slavery mob in Illinois. This kind of violence further reinforced sectional tensions and added fuel to the fire.
It is crucial to note that while the actions of some abolitionists fueled sectionalism in the South, not all abolitionists adopted radical methods or supported violent means. Some pursued peaceful approaches such as moral persuasion and legal activism, which had a different reception in the South.