abolitionism

[ ab-uh-lish-uh-niz-uhm ]

noun

1. the principle or policy of abolition, especially ending slavery as an institution in the U.S. and emancipating African Americans.

abolitionism

1. The belief that slavery should be abolished. In the early nineteenth century, increasing numbers of people in the northern United States held that the nation's slaves should be freed immediately, without compensation to slave owners. John Brown , Frederick W. Douglass , William Lloyd Garrison , Sojourner Truth , and Harriet Tubman were well-known abolitionists.

Notes

Abolitionism in the United States was an important factor leading to the Civil War .

Word History and Origins

Origin of abolitionism¹

First recorded in 1800–10; abolition + -ism

Example Sentences

It should not be forgotten that Franklin and the other founders sparked the move toward liberty, the fall of monarchy and aristocracy, but also the rise of abolitionism.

From Time

The meeting condemned Lovejoy's writings and speeches, and voted that Abolitionism must be suppressed in the town.

From Project Gutenberg

Only one chapter of this large work is devoted primarily to the plantation life and abolitionism.

From Project Gutenberg

It is well they should emigrate, to show admiring foreigners the beauties of American abolitionism.

From Project Gutenberg

Previous to the war no class of persons were louder in their denunciation of Abolitionism than the clergy of the North.

From Project Gutenberg

The year 1837 is the culmination of the first period of abolitionism in Illinois.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• autonomy
• citizenship
• democracy
• emancipation
• exemption
• immunity
• liberation
• privilege
• release
• relief
• self-determination
• self-government
• sovereignty