During the abolitionist movement in the 19th century, activists employed different strategies to fight against slavery. How did the approaches of William Lloyd Garrison differ from those of Frederick Douglass?

Question

A. Garrison advocated for violent uprisings against slaveholders, while Douglass believed in peaceful protest and legal reform.
B. Garrison focused on moral persuasion and publishing anti-slavery literature, while Douglass also engaged in political activism and supported working within the political system.
C. Garrison believed in maintaining the Union at all costs to end slavery, while Douglass argued for the dissolution of the Union if it meant achieving abolition.
D. Garrison supported immediate emancipation without compensation to slave owners, while Douglass initially supported gradual emancipation and compensation.

Answer 1

The correct answer is B. Garrison focused on moral persuasion and publishing anti-slavery literature, while Douglass also engaged in political activism and supported working within the political system.

William Lloyd Garrison was known for his strong moral stance against slavery and for his publishing of the abolitionist newspaper, "The Liberator," through which he sought to awaken the public conscience regarding the immorality of slavery. He advocated for immediate emancipation without any compensation to slave owners.

Frederick Douglass, on the other hand, was a former enslaved person who not only advocated for abolition through his powerful oratory and writings but also believed in engaging with the political system to effect change. He supported the idea of fighting for civil rights and was involved in political efforts, including supporting the inclusion of African Americans in the military during the Civil War and pushing for legislation that would grant equal rights.