Friends
Against Slavery
Quakers and
Abolitionists
Quakers
The
Quakers
were members
of a group called the Society of Friends. Many began working on the
Underground
Railroad,
helping escaped slaves reach freedom in the northen states or Canada.
The Quakers
were troubled by the conditions the slaves were in and punished
trying to seek freedom.
In 1681, a
Quaker,
William Penn, established the colony of Pennslyvania. This became the
most advanced and organized colony in the United states, which made
it possible to help pay for the funds of the Underground
Railroad.
Abolitionists
Many people wanted to end slavery. They felt that the Declaration of
Independence made all men equal and said that everyone should be
free. These people were called Abolitionists.
Both blacks and whites worked hard to end slavery
in America. Many Abolitionists
hid runaway slaves in their homes, although it was a crime. They were
often beaten or put in prison, and their homes and businesses
burned. Some were killed because they spoke against
slavery,
though mostly all Abolitionists
risked their lives
for slaves. Finally, in 1861, Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln
declared freedom for the slaves.
