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Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Info Post
By Sandra Ward


Anyone whom has ever studied history most likely knows about the early days of America and the American Slave trade. There were only a few slaves whom left behind documentation related to the life and times during that era. While this is the case, there were others, including one publicist and writer, whom also provided a great deal of information in a slavery biography.

Well known, high profile slaves such as Harriet Tubman and Charles Thompson left behind letters and notes related to the experiences of that time. Whereas, there were others at the time working to free these individuals and others whom also left a number of letters. As such, whether reading the personal stories of slaves, or articles, books and other publications provided by those whom were trying to free them, it can often be a difficult process.

One of the most well known individuals whom worked long and hard toward freeing the slaves is that of William Lloyd Garrison. For Mr. Garrison was a publicist, writer and pro-abolitionist in the early days of the slave trade. As such, while others had attempted work with regards to freeing the slaves, none were successful. For, it was not until Mr. Garrison started the abolitionist movement that people took freeing the slaves seriously.

While there have been several films, movies and miniseries related to the slave era, most have overlooked at least some aspect of that time. For example, most never talk about how slavery almost came to an end in the late 1700s. In fact, many Northern states had already started abolishing the slave trade shortly before the cotton gin was born.

The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 increased the amount of fertile ground on which cotton could be grown. As such, it was this new and fertile land which caused a rise in the number of slaves. Most reports suggest that while there were approximately five hundred thousand slaves in the 1700s, there were more like four million at the time of the American Civil War.

Later, when Garrison started fighting for the release of these individuals, there were two views with regards to a possible outcome. One being that slaves would be set free without pay and could either stay on as farm workers in exchange for room board, basically meaning nothing changed. Whereas, the other would be that, individuals once released would be sent back to Africa.

While Garrison most likely contributed to the freedom of slaves, few people realize the young publicist was also responsible for determining how to do so. While it was Mr. Garrison whom started the Abolitionist movement, it is often President Abraham Lincoln and the First Congress of 1875 which gets the most credit. For, it was during that year when the president provided the Emancipation Proclamation freeing all American slaves.

While this is the case, there is no doubt that the articles written and published by Mr. Garrison along with others in the only Abolitionist newspaper, "The Liberator, " of the time had some impact on the event. For, even the well known author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin, " has praised the publication for the frank, open, honest, truthful and independent nature of the publication.




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