Chapter 1: The Rise of the Abolitionist Movement

The United States has long grappled with its history of racism, a theme explored in this ongoing series. In the fifth installment, we delve into the evolution of the abolitionist movement during the Civil War, the quest for civil rights for freed slaves during Reconstruction, and the backlash from white southerners that resulted in enduring legal discrimination and segregation.

In opposition to slavery's introduction in the colonies, various groups emerged, notably the Quakers. In 1688, a gathering of Pennsylvania Quakers formally appealed to the colony to end slavery. They also founded the first abolitionist organization, the Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage, on April 14, 1775, now known as the Pennsylvania Abolitionist Society.

Section 1.1: Early Efforts and Divergent Approaches

The initial phase of abolitionism, spanning 1688 to 1820, featured