Abolitionists

Where the Abolitionists “unrestrained fanatics” by James Ellis

The civil war is the most known war in America history, it is also the most talked about. in the 1800’s the behind the scenes work was being done the big picture is slavery and that blacks should not be slaves with the north fighting for no slavery and the south fighting for slavery the outcome of this war would change the war forever. But just because you lived in the south doesn’t mean you were for slavery and these people were called abolitionists. These people helped in many ways but where they fanatics or even unrestrained fanatics. Some key people people that where abolitionists were John Brown, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Levi Coffin

John Brown Having 5 sons and being a farmer and a businessman, John Brown became a famous abolitionist. He lived his life supporting the anti- slavery movement by following his own beliefs. He was born in 1800 in Torrington, Connecticut. In his early childhood Brown decided that he was going to be against slavery for every millisecond of his life especially in the Pennsylvania Underground Railroad. Brown moved to Ohio when he was 5 years of age. In the north men called him "Old Brown of Osawatomie." Brown was a part of lots of acts such as "Telephone" at Harpers Valley in Virginia. In this incident he helped cut telephone wires at the arsenal military warehouse. But to Robert E. Lee’s surprise he found 2 of Brown’s son’s dead and Brown wounded. Then Brown was guilty for treason and murder so he was sentenced to death and hanged on December 2,1859. John Brown followed his dream and beliefs. His beliefs that slavery was wrong will go on forever along with his spirit of accomplishment.

Harriet Beecher On June 14, 1811 a very famous abolitionist was born. Could you guess who this very famous abolitionist is? Well it turns out that the very famous abolitionist is Harriet Elizabeth Beecher Stowe. Harriet was very close to her sister Carolyne who was also a writer. Stowe had 6 brothers and 1 sister. Her father was a New England Calvinist minister and influenced her beliefs in the importance of being against slavery. Her husband, whom she married 1866, was also a minister and an opponent of slavery. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote the book Uncle Tom’s Cabin in 1851, which became a best seller in the North. Her writing influenced millions of people to want to abolish slavery. The results of this book led to her hatred in the South because it made readers believe that slavery was evil. Even though she described slavery in her book, Harriet Beecher Stowe never witnessed slavery in the South though she did see some slavery when she visited Kentucky. Abe Lincoln labeled her as "the little lady who started the big, bloody war" Harriet Elizabeth Beecher Stowe was a loyal and trustworthy abolitionist. She is remembered today because of her help in educating people on slavery and changing their attitudes. After readers read her book they changed their minds and were anti-slavery believers.

Levi Coffin A famous Quaker abolitionist was born in the year of 1798 in the state of Indiana. He and his wife Catherine helped more than 2000 slaves escape to freedom for over 35 years. His name is Levi Coffin and he was known for influencing others to get involved with antislavery. Can you believe that Levi Coffin got money for slaves, as quickly as they needed? Levi traveled up and down the Underground Railroad, encouraging workers and seeing for himself, that runaways were being treated well. In, New Garden, North Carolina, he opened a Sunday Quaker school for slaves. All through the years, Levi was able to hide many runaway slaves. He hid the slaves in rooms and cellars in his own house. Because of his accomplishments over the years, he became the president of the Underground Railroad until he died in 1877. Levi was a model for the book Uncle Tom’s Cabin. After that he met up with Harriet Tubman and he began rescuing slaves with her. Now he is also known for being one of the famous rescuers for slaves. So, as you know Levi Coffin was a famous abolitionist, and traveled far to help slaves to freedom. Now Levi Coffin’s house is a National Historic Site, for many people to come and see.
These are just a few people who stood up for what they believed now do I think they were un restricted fanatics no not even close they were not going crazy over slavery they just believed that slavery was wrong and helped in any way possible by trying to help the slaves, to lead them into a safer path, a path that is not restricted and not full of beating and hard labor for no money.