Question

How did abolitionists want to change American society in the early 1800s?
They wanted to stop people from drinking alcohol to excess.
They wanted everyone to have access to free public education.
They wanted to improve conditions in hospitals for mentally ill people.
They wanted to end the practice of slavery and free enslaved workers.

Answer 1

Abolitionists in the early 1800s primarily aimed to end the practice of slavery and free enslaved individuals. They sought to change American society by advocating for the rights and dignity of all people, emphasizing that slavery was morally and ethically wrong. This movement included a diverse group of individuals, including former enslaved people, free African Americans, and white allies, who worked through writing, speeches, and activism to raise awareness and promote the cause of abolition. While other social reform movements, such as temperance, education reform, and mental health advocacy, were also emerging during this time, the primary focus of abolitionists was the eradication of slavery.