The Anti-Slavery And The Abolitionist Movement

Throughout the U.S history, whites have been deemed superior and had “white privilege”, while citizens of color had a battle over slavery and its abolition. The abolitionist movement, or abolitionism, was the campaign to end slavery in the United States, before and during the Civil War. Edmund Morgan, historian, has said “American slavery made American freedom possible, partly by giving white skin more cultural value than black skin” (Tomek). Now before the civil war, slaves were working hard but treated so poorly. They were mainly treated like objects instead of being treated like a human being. Slaves lived extremely harsh lives and have been whipped, beaten, killed, and lynched. But soon after, in 1780 the radical Pennsylvania …show more content…
They decided to take a risk and gradually, all abolitionist in Pennsylvania joined together to make the “Pennsylvania Hall Association”. They all raised money and was able to make up to $40,000 within a few days within the year. Black anti-slavery leaders in the community were also a huge help in raising money for the hall. A lot of members from the Pennsylvania Hall Association were white members who were also members of the anti-slavery group. The construction of the hall, ‘‘in the face of almost universal disapproval of their cause’’(Matsui), finally began 1837 and ended 14th of May for their grand opening …show more content…
They spoke towards an audience of black and white women and men. This was a racially integrated meeting in 1838. While speaking, suddenly a crowd started building outside of the hall. During the meeting, the women remained calm, despite being surrounded by a mob filling the doors and threatening to enter the room. The mob suddenly started throwing bricks through the windows. The women left the hall before the attack escalated, and a group who were known as dock workers broke the doors down and a huge white mob came in a set several fires around the Hall. The mob attacked anyone who tried to save the Hall. Firefighters were there to calm the blaze but decided to put out the surrounding buildings and let the Pennsylvania Hall burn in ashes. The mob then headed towards the African American community, where they attacked the First African Presbyterian Church and the Shelter for Colored Orphans. Then finally, Mayor Swift ordered the police to restrain the mob and calm them down. No one was charged of the crime, but a few dozen were arrested, and five men were investigated for involving themselves in the destruction of the