American History

I. Introduction
For years, thousands of stories about the horrors of slavery have surfaced, not to mention those which died quietly along with the person that experienced it first-hand. Africans were brought to America and to Europe, sold as slaves (Spielvogel, 2008, p. 423), treated as animals and were expected as indefatigable creatures that would not tire after long toiling, little food and rest. To say that slavery was inhumane appeared to insufficient to explicitly demonstrate the evil in slavery that abolitionists tried to fight and exorcise from the society.  Thankfully, the world woke up one day with a new perspective that would change the social order and the way of life of the people of the world slavery should end, slaves should be freed, and slavery should not be allowed to resume. This movement was known as Abolition, or Abolitionism. It became victorious in the end because of many important reasons. These reasons are strongly tied to important factors that guaranteed the inevitable victory of abolitionism and is seen during the progression of abolition, especially that of the Northern Abolitionist movement.

The history of the world features many different practices of human beings which often are frowned upon by other people for many reasons, like for its characteristic of being oppressive and inhumane. While in selected cases, it can be dismissed that such reaction was part of the fact that cultural background makes different people see the condition differently still, there are problems in the world that solicited similar reactions to many different groups of people, regardless of culture, tradition and beliefs. One of the problems that human beings have to endure, and learn from, is the problem of slavery, considered as a moral wrong (Meyers, 1961, p. 83). In many parts of the world and in many different eras and timelines, slavery was a practice and way of life for many different groups of people. One of the most popular forms of slavery in human history is the slavery of the Africans (Meyers, 1961, p. 83).

Like cattles, cows, sheeps and other animal livestock shipped and sold around the world, Africans who are sent to slavery were no better than animals (Bay, 2000, p. 140). They are collective in groups, bound and shackled in ships as they made their journey to either Europe or America. They are to be sold to rich farm owners who used slaves to attend to farming and household chores, among others, sometimes under dire conditions. During that time, slaves hardly had any human rights left for them to exercise. They can be easily killed or shot by their owners, as if they were cows and dogs. They worked beyond exhaustion every day, and were fed very little. The maltreatment started even before they become official slaves, starting from the time of their capture in Africa. When ships carrying slaves sank in rough waters, no African has any chance of survival since all of them are bound in iron shackles to one another and tied in the bottom of the ship. In places where they become slaves, they are seen as creatures more akin to animals and not to white men.

II. Discussion
A. Abolition
The discussion of the victory of Abolitionism requires the examination of the timeline regarding the development of Abolition movements particularly in Northern America, also known as the Northern Abolitionism. This includes the actions and the collective rise of Northern Abolitionism leading to the victory of Abolition in that part of the world. There are two approaches towards the understanding and definition of Northern Abolitionism first, abolition in North America (as a country as a whole, different from South, or Latin, America) and second, the abolition from the Northern states of America, the opposite pole of the South American states where abolition took place nonetheless.

As early as 1688, places in the north like Pennsylvania already had groups pressing for the end of slavery and the freedom of slaves. Here, Quakers were calling for the end of slavery practices, resulting to the 1688 Germantown Quaker Petition against Slavery. This was influential in Pennsylvanias 1780 banning of slavery (Bruns, 1977, p. 445). On March 1, 1780, the Pennsylvania Assembly, by a vote of 34 to 21, enacted the first gradual abolition law in American history (Bruns, 1977, p. 445). Ten years earlier, other Quakers were actually freeing slaves, particularly the Rhode Island Quakers. At the start of the 18th century, the call for the freedom of slaves and the abolition of the practice of slavery become stronger and louder. Besides the Quakers, other groups surfaced with the same agenda and proposition abolition of slavery and freedom of slaves. Groups like The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage became prominent organizations (Rodriguez, 2007, p. 455).

The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage was considered as the premier organization created mainly for this movement. It was officially created on April 14, 1775 by Quakers so that they can have group dedicated solely for this mission. In the same year, an article appeared in the Pennsylvania Magazine, entitled African Slavery in America (Paine, 1945, p. 15). The content was written by Thomas Paine who was also a supporter of the abolitionist movement, the content considered as critical of the practice of slavery and encouraged and inspired many others to believe in the same ideology. This group was originally formed in Philadelphia. When the Quakers reorganized after the war behind the efforts of Benjamin Franklin (Jackson, 2009, p. 32), it continued the practice of fighting for slaves and freeing slaves and ending slavery, starting in 1784.

The movement to abolish slavery in the north of America or among the northern states began with the implementation of rules. When the US was still a confederation, they passed what was known today as sacred text. It was then known as the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 (Finkelman, 2001, p. 37). This made slavery illegal in territories found in the northwestern part of the Ohio River, followed in 1804 by the famous emancipation of slaves found along the Mason Dixon line north of which no one is allowed to be made slave or to live as slaves (Martin, 2002, p. 12). The action of New Jersey was to be the last state to finally accept the proposition of ending slavery in the state. In the same year (1787) there was also a Constitutional Convention and part of the agreement was the stopping of African slave trade. By 1808, international slave trade was illegal in America (Grossberg, 2007, p. 281).

Addressing internal slave trade, or the trade of slaves found inside the US, would be addressed in the later years. Before that, a bill was passed in New York in 1799 that ended the practice of slavery. Unfortunately, the progress was not as easy and fast as it appeared on paper and in law. Years after the early efforts of northern states to rid of slaves and the practice of slavery, places like New York and its neighbor New Jersey as well as Pennsylvania are still practicing slavery. These states still feature slaves existing in these places, although not as rampant as it were before. It was not as many as those found in the Southern States in the same year (Grossberg, 2007, p. 281).

History would reveal that the abolition movement in the north and among northern American states was backstopped by two important organizations. First, there was the New York Manumission Society (Barbour, 1995, p. 69) which featured important social leaders like Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, as well as John Jay. There was also another group, the Pennsylvania Antislavery Society, which, like its New York counterpart, was working to end slavery. More effective was the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society and its many local affiliates (Kashatus, 2002, p. 43).

In the North, what was noticeable was the degree of attention given to ending slavery. What appeared to be neglected in the early stages of abolitionism was the lives of freed slaves, who, after emancipation, had to fight another set of problems, especially racial segregation and bias from white people (Grossberg, 2007, p. 281).  . Colour prejudice remained a firm fixture (Green, 1991, p. 17). Hunger and an impecunious state of life for many African men and women as well as children are now faced with a new problem - how they are going to survive, where they are going to get food and clothing as well as shelter, etc. These problems became the point of concern in the coming years in the American society after the overall victory of abolitionism in the United States.

All of these actions are found in the Northern states only. Northern Abolition pertaining to North America in general also involved the actions in the Southern States which eventually abolished slavery albeit not as wholeheartedly compared to Northern American states. Although abolition in southern states is more difficult compared to the abolition efforts in the northern states, abolition in the southern states and the actions and developments throughout its timeline is nonetheless important in the history of abolition in North America in general.

Places in the south like Delaware, Virginia and Maryland which are slave-rich places because of the plantations found in these areas, experienced a decrease in slave populations during the height of the campaign of the Quakers for the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of slaves (Littell, Littell, 1862, p. 14). At some point, places like Maryland contained more free negroes than slaves (Littell, Littell, 1862, p. 14). Individuals like Robert Carter III, a native of Virginia, freed nearly 500 slaves in 1791. Carter III decided to free his slaves and rent out his land to them (Santoro, 2006, p. 26). At the start and middle of the 1800s, abolitionism became less of the act emancipation itself and was more of an ideology, considering the fact that by that time, many slaves were already freed. The ideology was necessary to sustain the status quo regarding the position of the US as a whole with regards to slavery (Santoro, 2006, p. 26).

B. The Victory of Abolitionism
After long years of the practice of Americans and other countries regarding the owning of slaves, slavery, the slave trade and the practice of slavery eventually ended in the US and in many parts of the world. However, this was not after political, military and economic battle that tested both sides of this social opinion. Indeed, it would appear that abolitionism as a movement at the time of the slavery would always be the victor in this struggle. This condition has become apparent during the rise of Abolition and the battle to end slavery because of many different reasons coming from many different perspectives. Analysis in hindsight also points strongly to the eventual victory of the abolitionist movement in the US (and in other parts of the world). Conditions surrounding this dilemma points strongly on a resolution that favors the agenda of abolition and its movement, and for many different reasons which are all important and significant.

i. Tipping point  Tipping Point is not yet a popular idea that could have been considered by analysts at the time leading towards their presumption regarding the outcome of the fight for the freedom of slavery fought between those who wanted to keep the slaves and those who wanted to eradicate the practice of slavery altogether. The concept of tipping point is nonetheless an important factor in defending the idea that abolition, eventually, will win in this struggle. Even though the concept of tipping point is not yet known, popular and familiar during that time, it does not mean that it is not applicable in that condition. On the contrary, the victory of abolition is a perfect example of the tipping point in abolition and slave emancipation like the case of Delaware, for example (Essah, 1996, p. xiii). Basically, the idea of the tipping point is that sooner or later, the balance or status quo in the society will change and tip in favor of the opposite side, which is previously lacking favor, the inferior side, the improbable side.

The tipping point is an idea that supports the inevitability of change (Gilbert, Perl, 2008, p. 327), change in the society and change in human perspective and behavior, etc. It is the notion of sudden, radical shift towards another direction, although it is not entirely sudden, radical or unexpected. Close analysis of what happened leading to the change already revealed signs of the impending change that one party may have failed to notice that are why the individual or group was not able to predict the change or shift and was not prepared for it. In the condition of the abolitionist movement and the drive to change the status quo by ending the practice of enslaving humans, especially African people, abolitionism would sooner or later become the victor of the struggle. The reasons for change and shift in actions continue to compound and pile up on one side that the sudden change is inevitable.

The rule, concept and model of the tipping point is strong proof that abolitionism would become victorious. Maybe it is because more and more people are realizing the attack on humanity through the deplorable and harsh practice of slavery as it was seen and experienced in many parts of the world. The realization stems from the interaction of individuals with slaves who saw slaves as individuals and more importantly as human beings. This maybe because the inhumane practices on slaves are getting worse and worse that its evil has becoming more and more noticeable and hard to ignore. People are being empowered to action with regards to this issue. It maybe because of the growing influence of people coming from or representing the slaves, people who wanted to change the way things are in America. Change is inevitable and is part of a cycle which no human intervention, power and capability can stop, alter or dictate.

Maybe it is all about all of these things which collectively displayed weight and importance significant and powerful enough to inspire change and dictate a shift in social practice. The fight of those supporting abolition is not a swift battle towards victory. Instead, it was long and tedious, and they realize slowly how they are slowly winning every battlefront in this struggle. This exactly is testament to the motion and movement of the tipping point, wherein social gravity starts to lean to the opposite side as a result of the change and shift, leading to drastic change in the status of the society.

ii. Eventual defeat of evil and this crime versus humanity - One of the noticeable characteristics in human society is that despite the fact that there is a long struggle for justice and to address problems attacking humanity, sooner or later, this evil is bound to be defeated. This is regardless of the length of time, regardless of the extent of sacrifice made, regardless of the many frustrations that seem to hinder the progress of justice and truth. Evil can be defeated (Peters, 1994, p. 20). The abolition and slavery is a perfect case for this, and is similar to other problems that faced humanity. After many years of being left unchecked and uncorrected, it became the target of new consciousness and was submitted to the collective scrutiny and actions from those who believed that change was not just inevitable but was also morally as well as political necessary (Peters, 1994, p. 20).

In the long, complex history of the world, there have been many different practices of many different human social groups that have attacked the very essence of the fiber of humanity. This made practices inhumane and even monstrous, practices which people who wanted to change things, tried to address, in the effort to bring forward justice, in however form it would appear. For a long period of time, Africans were shipped to America, sold and enslaved, made to suffer under the most difficult of conditions that any human being can bear and was, collectively, a group of individual that suffered social injustice for a long period of time (Peters, 1994, p. 20).

Without a doubt, many Africans believed that there is no hope in changing this condition of their life, that they are a race bound to suffer such miserable fate. However, in the end of this story, the innate goodness of people that was stronger and mightier than a selected elite few proved enough to change the condition, displaying the natural affinity of human beings in general to be merciful, compassionate and just to other human beings. Slavery was bound to end and abolitionism is bound to succeed because justice will prevail in the end. Any form of injustice in the society will always surface sooner or later and be a target of criticism by people who oppose it, people who, sooner or later, will grow in number sufficient enough to allow change to happen. Their actions are hinged at the innate characteristic of human beings to show compassion to other human beings, to overcome tendencies of evil in the society by those who stand up for what is right. Just like these cases of long practices of genocide and mass murder, torture, starvation, and other crimes committed versus humanity, evil will eventually be defeated by the innate tendencies of the people to do good things to their fellow human beings. The victory of the removal of slavery is another proof of this characteristic.

History has already made examples in the past and has made examples after the slavery years. This is to point out that the victory of good over evil is not a mere coincidence but is a real possibility in human life. Abolition, at one side, can be a continuation of the lists of proof. It can even be seen as an important start of a trend in human way of life that will influence other trends in how humans react to acts of inhumanity and evil versus other people. An example was how Adolf Hitler and Pol Pots acts of genocide and crimes versus humanity eventually came to an end despite a long battle which at some point appeared to be hopeless in the side of justice.

Abolitionism appears to emerge as the victor in the end because of the presence of the chance of the triumph of the sense of humanity among the many against the evil actions and intentions of the few. They may possess influence and power for a particular period of time but will nonetheless be robbed of such power once the collective desire for the victory of humanity disables the power of the evil few. In this case, the evil few are represented by rich people who wanted to resist abolition and continue the practice of slavery.

iii. Political will - Another important factor to consider in the argument that abolitionism was bound to be victorious in the end is the fact that abolitionism was as much an act of humanity as it was a demonstration of political will and political power (Strong, 2002, p. 3). Slavery became a well-entrenched practice in the human social way of life. Part of the practice of enslavement of African people is the political will of those which have strengthened and galvanized that practice. In realization of social opposition and with the acceptance of the socio-political implications of putting a stop to slavery practices, the move towards abolition became strongly political. This provided the movement the necessary power it needs enough to become a catalyst for social change. It is important to note that the demonstration of political will included the presence of support coming from rich, wealthy and influential individuals and their families (Strong, 2002, p. 3).

If abolition was a movement that did not gain any political bearing, was ignored by the ruling and rich elite and was limited mainly to the poor sector, it would have taken years longer, at least long enough for the movement to eventually gain support from political channels in the society. Note that at the time of the abolition as is today, political channels are often the same channels where rich people operate, making them one and the same. Leaders and supporters of the abolition recognized the political implications of such movement and made abolition succeed through political will. There isnt any better proof of the strong political will behind the pursuit of the victory of the abolition than the resulting American Civil War. It was fought in part because of how Northern and Southern states strongly disagreed and possessed varied political positions with regards to the matter of freeing slaves and ending slavery.

As history will reflect, political will supported by both the ruling class and the poor sector (which is often the majority in number) always often become victorious. In this instances is where the very limited times the poor and the rich people stand in common ground and possess similar belief is reflected. Political will is a powerful social force and a strong agent of change. Since the movement for the freedom of slaves and the ending of slavery possess political will, it was destined to victory from the moment such movement began.

iv. New idealism - Although the idea the abolition was a new idealism was not automatically reason enough why it would become successful in the end, it is nonetheless a factor that helped galvanized the guarantee that it will succeed. The society always displays its penchant and support for new ideologies and beliefs. It is radical and in opposition to existing and traditional beliefs, always in the effort to provide the society with something new (or a new option), and more importantly, to change the society. Abolitionism is an example of the tendencies of the society to create new ideas and foster new idealism among the people. While not every new idea is supported strongly enough to influence change, the idealism on human rights and the ending of slavery particularly in America is a new idea that was strongly accepted by the people. It was firmly supported by institutions, groups, entities and many other social components.

The people in the American states displayed a greater tendency for being more liberal and not conservative and restricted compared to their counterparts in England and in other European countries. As such, it made the country a place where there is a good chance for new ideologies to become successful and well supported. Today, the US is a place where many different ideologies are thriving and are strongly supported. One of the roots of this particular social characteristic is seen in the rise of abolition, freedom of slaves and the ending of slavery as an idea supported by the people.

What are the possible reasons why such new ideology gained huge amount of support There are many. First, there is the important consideration regarding how the ideology was supportive of the welfare of the human being, the appeal on the sense of humanity. The society itself in general was witness to how bad slaves are being treated. Maybe there are those who saw Africans as individuals, who can contribute better to the society if they are not treated as slaves. In the long run, they appear to be prophetic and correct considering how Africans have strongly changed and influenced the American society as to how it is today.

III. Conclusion
The issue of slavery and the resulting calls for abolition and emancipation is an important aspect in the history of mankind (Schug, Caldwell, 2006, p. 204). In the US in particular, the history of abolition is important because of how it reflects important characteristics of the society and how it is proof of important innate human characteristics. Abolitionism, in the end, proved to be an inevitable winner in this social struggle because it has on its side many important considerations. Abolitionism has been an important movement. It has changed the way of life socially, politically, economically and culturally, in the US and in the rest of the world.