Holy Warriors: The Abolitionists and American Slavery Essay Sample

Turner, the "Nullifiers," and David Walker's actions all pointed towards the conclusion that slavery was responsible for the society's deteriorated state.

The abrupt adoption of instant abolition may have been a tactical innovation born out of the shortcomings of gradualism. The emancipationists freed themselves from the grip of gradualism and ultimately overcame their emotions of self-centeredness, inadequacy, and alienation. They aligned themselves with God in the struggle against the egotism of slave-owning.

The concept of "immediate emancipation" referred to a province of mind in which God was dominant and bondage was fought against. Abolitionists believed that their cause was about creating a society based on Christian brotherhood. Although they aimed to achieve emancipation gradually, it had to start immediately. The primary opposition to the emancipationist movement came from the political sphere. Many Americans feared that instant emancipation would suddenly create a large population of inferior black people. Jackson's Democratic Party was specifically created to support the interests of plantation owners.

Jacksonian politics quickly became associated with racism and opposition to the abolition movement, presenting significant obstacles for emancipationists seeking to end slavery peacefully or through force. Given the societal limitations of Jacksonian America, modern approaches to tackling the issue of bondage seemed implausible. Consequently, the goals of immediatist abolitionists were strikingly ambitious - eliminate centuries of American racism and transform expensive slave property into full-fledged black citizens.

Despite their belief in the safety of immediately abolishing the slave system, abolitionists did not act like Rebels when launching their campaign. Emancipationists aimed to encourage all American citizens to take responsibility for the cruelty of slavery.