Why did Quakers and other religious leaders in the North oppose slavery?

Question

1. They believed it was a sin for one person to own another person.
2. They had many African American followers.
3. They felt African Americans should be fairly paid for their services.
4. They thought that slavery did not reflect American values.

Answer 1

The primary reason that Quakers and other religious leaders in the North opposed slavery was:

1. They believed it was a sin for one person to own another person.

Quakers, in particular, held strong ethical and moral beliefs rooted in the idea of equality and the inherent dignity of all individuals. Many religious leaders viewed slavery as incompatible with their faith and teachings about justice, compassion, and the inherent worth of every person. While some of the other options may have had some influence, the core belief in the immorality of slavery was the driving factor in their opposition.