Militant Abolition
(John Brown's Raid)
The goal of the abolitionist movement was the immediate emancipation of all slaves and the end of racial discrimination and segregation. John Brown’s mission was to give the slaves weapons in order for them to be able to defend themselves. I do not think that he had any type of martyrdom on his mind. But, Mr. Brown was intense and focused. He had a plan, and was not afraid to instill such a plan, with the help of his sons. Now, here is a man that “puts his money, where his mouth was.”
This relates to the lecture on Thoreau because he believed in civil disobedience in which a person breaks the law because they find it unjust. Thoreau believed that blacks should rebel. He believed that the Government will always take advantage of the underprivileged.
Increasing Tide of Anti-Slavery Organizations
A I mentioned before, the goal of the abolitionist movement was for the immediate emancipation of all slaves and the end of racial discrimination and segregation. This document is saying that this American Anti-slavery movement adopted a sort of passive resistance plan. The declaration wanted members to work for emancipation through nonviolent actions of “moral suasion” or “the overthrow of prejudice by the power of love.” This was civil disobedience, similar to the likes of what would be seen later with Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr.
This relates to the lecture on Thoreau because he believed in civil disobedience. As the lecture stated, It means breaking the law and challenging authority in a nonviolent way. The declaration of Anti-Slavery Convention wanted members to have liberation and freedom in a just manner without the use of violence. This idea is important because change does not have to always be violent. Passive resistance can be just as, or even more effective than violent rhetoric. It is not easy, but, if employed suitably, can be very successful. The aim is for freedom, a change from oppression, and whatever works, well lets use it.
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