During the three decades that preceded the Civil War abolitionism was a major factor in the demise of slavery. Abolitionism was a morally grounded and uncompromised movement during the 17th and 18th centuries. Abolitionist played a key role in setting the terms of debate over slavery and in making it a compelling moral issue. The 13th amendment was ratified in 1865 which abolished slavery. William Lloyd Garrison, and other white and black abolitionists played a significant …showed first 75 words of 1495 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1495 total…It made man into merchantable property and deprived him of his humanity-his freedom to make of himself what he would." References Quarles (1969). Black Abolitionists. New York: Oxford University Press. Sterling (1954). Freedom Train. Garden City: Double Day & Company, Inc.<Tab/> Browne (1996). Textual Styles and Radical Critique in William Lloyd Garrison's Thoughts on African Colonization. Park, PA: (Volume 47) Harvard University Press. Matthews (1999). The Abolitionists on Slavery. New York, NY: University Press.