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.(3 points)
1) The publication of inflammatory anti-slavery literature and newspapers by abolitionists such as William Lloyd Garrison contributed to the tensions arising over slavery. Garrison's newspaper, The Liberator, openly called for the immediate and unconditional emancipation of slaves, which greatly alarmed the white population in the South. Southerners viewed these publications as a direct attack on their way of life and felt that their property rights were being threatened. As a response, Southern states enacted laws known as "gag rules" that prohibited the distribution of anti-slavery literature within their borders. These laws stifled freedom of expression and further polarized opinions between the North and South.
2) The activities of radical abolitionists, such as John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry in 1859, also contributed to heightened tensions in the South. Brown's attempt to incite a slave revolt by seizing federal armaments deeply terrified Southerners, as it reinforced their perception that abolitionists were not only advocating for the end of slavery but also actively promoting violence against whites in the South. Brown's raid was seen as a direct threat to the economic and social structure of the Southern states, and it further solidified their conviction that the abolitionist movement sought to destabilize and destroy their way of life. In response to Brown's raid, Southern states increased their efforts to enforce stricter slave codes and suppress any dissent or abolitionist activity in their territories.
Overall, while abolitionists aimed to weaken sectionalism by advocating for the end of slavery, their extreme tactics and uncompromising beliefs ultimately contributed to the deepening divide between the North and South. The Southern response to these attacks included the enactment of laws that restricted freedom of expression and a hardening of their commitment to defend the institution of slavery.