Declaration of Sentiments, American anti-slavery society, 1833
I wanted to give a little background information on this society. The American Anti-Slavery Society was founded in 1833. This group of people put out articles, poems, songs and other anti-slavery documents specifically to advocate towards ending slavery. William Lloyd Garrison led this society. He published a weekly newspaper entitled “The Liberator” which was read by thousands of people and he was equally loved as he was hated for his outspoken views on slavery. William wanted to open people’s eyes to the fact that slavery was immoral; he was outspoken, passionate, and spent the majority of his life promoting the end of slavery.
What is the author arguing?
William Garrison wrote the Declaration of Sentiments as a formal statement to show the core beliefs of the society and the goals they wanted to accomplish. This document is arguing that slavery is a crime and everyone, no matter what their color should have the same opportunities and rights as the white race. The declaration states that slavery is not only morally wrong but also criminal due to the brutality the slaves endure by their masters and because of the color of their skin; they have no constitutional or legal rights. William also writes that slavery is against gods will and gives scripture references to back up his statement in regards to holding people against their will.
How does the author appeal to logos, pathos, and ethos?
William drafted this eloquent document that shows how passionate he and the society are about ending slavery. He speaks of his forefathers and the hardships they have worked through and that they have endured, however they have never known the pain and struggle of the slaves. He is very matter of fact in the way he states that buying or stealing Africans is a sin, just as it is to enslave an American who has black skin. To read how babies are snatched out of their mothers arms, or a wife being separated from her husband, or families being torn apart was sad to me, along with knowing that they would go to bed hungry and beaten with nothing to look forward to when they wake up because they would have to do the same thing over and over again because of their skin color. William was a respected advocate for human rights and he drafted a document that that has simply but clearly defined what the society is trying to accomplish.
What is the historical significance/relevance of this document?
The Declaration of Sentiments was written during a time where the issue of slavery was being challenged. The American Anti-Slavery Society was one of the main abolition movements that really paved the way for similar society’s and chapters to open up and continue the fight against slavery. This document was written to show others the purpose of their society and what they wanted to accomplish, which was a free United States for all races.
Did You Find The Authors Argument Convincing?
I definitely was convinced by this document; however I may be biased because I am bi-racial and so this topic in history is really important to me because it is my ancestors that had to endure slavery and all the cruelty, racism, prejudice and other countless hurtful acts. It makes me appreciate activists such as William Garrison and all the people who knew that slavery was wrong and put their own lives in danger to fight for what was right, and what they believed in back then so that we all can live in freedom today.
Great background information and argument analysis! Garrison certainly appeals to the reader's emotions by addressing the plight of the slaves in America. Thank you for highlighting your potential bias as well, even though I don't think it had any impact on your assessment; this was a very significant document!
ReplyDeleteThe two ideals that I find to be most unique in the Declaration of Sentiments are equal rights and reparations. Many Americans at the time wanted to end slavery, but they were more concerned with the economic repercussions of emancipation and ex-patriation of the former slaves. It was impossible for most people to envision living in an integrated society.
Though Thomas Paine outlined some very similar goals in 1775,("African Slavery in America") William Garrison's ideals were more well-received by abolitionists. These provided the foundation for not only abolition of slavery, but integration and equality as well.
good job with the background information. and a little more background information is that the American Anti-Slavery Society split in 1839. At issue was the belief by some members that Garrison’s ideas were too radical. To Garrison, the U.S. Constitution was illegal because it allowed the existence of slavery. Thus, he believed that the very foundations of the nation were illegitimate, and he called for the North to secede from the Union and form its own nation. Garrison’s opponents within the society argued that the Constitution, and therefore the U.S. government, was legitimate, for it allowed people the right to redress their grievances and end forms of oppression such as slavery. For this faction, the society’s principal goal was to elect antislavery candidates to public office, where they would be able to enact laws outlawing slavery. and this was something am happy about due to the fact that I was born in sierra Leone in Africa. and i also wounder what if no one tried to fight for the freedom of the African slaves at that time? well I still be here talking about American Anti-Slavery Society? or being somebody's slave right now?
ReplyDeleteYes I did read about his
ReplyDeletethoughts on the constitution, and how he publicially burned a copy of the constitution in public at an anti slavery rally in Massachusuttes. Thats what I like about this man, he risked his safety and freedom to speak out for what he believed in. One of his most famous statements was this. "I am in earnest-I will not equivocate-I will not excuse-I will not retreat a single inch-and I will be heard." I love that statement, matter of fact, to the point, and honest. Thanks to both of you for bringing more key points to my assessment. I enjoyed doing this analysis because as I mentioned before this part of history is important to me.
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ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading all the background information in your TA. The part about the babies being snatched etc. was very sad to read and learn about. It must have been a very hard life for the slaves to endure and to go to bed at night and wake up and do it all over again the next day with no sign of hope in their future. This article was very a very convincing argument to end slavery and the line "That every american citizen, who detains a human being in involuntary bondage as his property, is, according to Scripture, a manstealer" pretty much sums it up. The times of people with light complexions thinking that someone with a darker complexion was a lesser being were ending. When the Constitution of the United States was written it stated "all men were equal" and this is referenced in this article. Although when the Constitution was written this was not thought through has given this country an everlasting moral compass to this day to try and abide by. I am anxious to read on in our book to learn about how the American Indians were also included eventually as American citizens with equal rights.
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