Ep 12. The Abolutionists, Part Two: 1838-1854
- January 15, 2013
In the second part of The Abolitionists, American Experience continues to explore the lives and work of the individuals who fought tirelessly to end slavery in the United States. Beginning in 1838, the episode examines the growing divide between the abolitionist movement and the federal government, which continued to uphold the legality of slavery and enforce fugitive slave laws.
The episode focuses on several key figures of the abolitionist movement, including William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Through archival footage and interviews with experts, the viewer gains a deeper understanding of the strategies and tactics used by these activists to bring attention to the atrocities of slavery and the need for immediate action.
One of the most compelling stories of the episode centers around the Amistad case, in which a group of enslaved Africans overpowered their captors and sailed the ship to the coast of the United States, where they were ultimately imprisoned and faced deportation back to their enslavement. Abolitionists rallied behind the cause, and through persistent advocacy and legal efforts, succeeded in securing the freedom of the Amistad captives.
As tensions escalated between the North and South over the issue of slavery, the abolitionist movement faced increasing violence and repression. The episode explores the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act, which required all citizens to aid in the capture of runaway slaves and imposed harsh penalties for those who aided or harbored them. Despite the risks, abolitionists continued to work towards their goal of ending slavery, with Frederick Douglass even publishing an anti-slavery newspaper in the heart of the South.
As the episode draws to a close, the viewer is left with a sense of the bravery and determination exhibited by the abolitionists in their fight for justice, as well as the immense challenges they faced in confronting one of the most entrenched and brutal institutions in American history. Through their efforts, the stage was set for the eventual end of slavery in the United States, and their legacy continues to inspire those fighting for social justice today.
Overall, The Abolitionists, Part Two: 1838-1854 is a thought-provoking and inspiring episode that sheds light on a critical moment in American history, and the individuals who worked tirelessly to bring about change.
