Life and Involvement in Social Reforms of the 19th Century in the United States of America

By Erin Sharkey, Olivia Nakamura, and Pablo Mendoza

Mrs. SchartnerPeriod 2 Honors US History 1

"I do not wish to think, or speak, or write, with moderation . . . I am in earnest - I will not equivocate - I will not excuse - I will not retreat a single inch - AND I WILL BE HEARD."

-William Lloyd Garrison-First Issue of the Liberator

Born in Newburyport, Massachusetts on December 12th, 1805.

Father abandoned Garrison at the age of three, leaving him with limited education and many odd jobs to support his family.

Of these odd jobs, he worked for various newspapers when he was young, leading him to experience in the newspaper business. His mother passed away in 1823.

Joined the Abolitionist Movement at 25, and became involved in the American Colonization Society and soon after left due to the fact the society did not want to get completely rid of slavery.

Worked as editor of an Anti-Slavery paper in Massachusetts titled the Genius of Emancipation.

On January 1st, 1831, Garrison published the first issue of his Anti-Slavery newspaper titled the Liberator, which was an abolitionist newspaper that spoke strongly against slavery.

Garrison received a quick reputation as one of the most radical abolitionists through his newspaper.

In 1832 and 1833, he helped organize the New England Anti-Slavery society and the American Anti-Slavery society, some of the very first groups that wanted emancipation of slaves.

In 1834, he married Helen Eliza Benson and had seven children, two of which died little.

Published 1,820 issues of his newspaper through 35 years until the end of the Civil War.

Died in New York on May 24th, 1879.

William Lloyd Garrison was a strong supporter of the Abolitionist Movement.

It was a movement in the 1800’s to end slavery.

Divided the North and the South. The North wanted to abolish slavery, while the South wanted to keep slavery.

The movement was influenced by the Second Great Awakening in which religious revivals caused people to realize the evils of slavery, and work towards reform.

Provoked hostilities that led to the Civil War. William Lloyd Garrison and his followers were convinced that slavery had corrupted society.

Eventually led to the woman suffrage movement.

 13th Amendment, at this point he stopped writing the Liberator since the goal had been met.

American and Foreign Anti-Slave Society created in opposition due to disagreements over women’s role in the society, covered more area

Support for Union Armies in the Civil War despite believing in pacifism, thought Lincoln was wrong for fighting to preserve the Union as opposed to the end of slavery

Helped advocate for woman's suffrage and gave women equal standing as men in the Anti-Slavery Society

Created the newspaper, the Liberator to express his views, became very controversial later in it’s publishing, was told his extremism warded off potential supporters

Demanded "immediate and complete emancipation of all slaves"

Formed Anti-Slave Society for support and education on the situation of slavery and the lives slaves

Attacked both the slave holders for owning slaves and gradualists for not trying harder to save the slaves

Attacked the churches for not condemning slavery

Advocated for woman's suffrage, pacifism, and temperance

Arranged for Frederick Douglass to become an agent and speaker for the Anti-Slavery Society

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