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Period: to
Antebellum Period
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Frederick Douglass founds The North Star
On December 3, 1847, Frederick Douglass established the abolitionist paper, The North Star, in Rochester, NY. The paper soon became the most influential black anti-slavery of the antebellum era, with over 4,000 readers in the U.S. and Europe. Not only was the paper used for abolitionist purposes, but it also was used to promote feminist ideas and support other oppressed groups. The paper’s motto was “Right is of no sex- truth is of no color- God is the Father of us all, and we are all brethren.” -
Declaration of Sentiments Presented at Seneca Falls Convention
Primarily written by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the Declaration of Sentiments served to list the rights women should be entitled to as citizens, and acknowledge the failure of the Declaration of Independence to include female rights and voices. It was presented at the Seneca Falls Women’s Rights convention in New York in July, 1848. Though 68 women and 32 men signed the declaration, many withdrew their names because of the hostility it was met with. -
Harriet Tubman Escapes Slavery
In September 1849, Harriet escaped from the Poplar Neck Plantation. Using the Underground Railroad, Harriet travelled to the free state of PA. After the passage of the Fugitive Slave Law, she began working with abolitionists Thomas Garrett and Frederick Douglass. In December, 1850, she guided her first family through the Railroad and freed them from slavery. In 1858 she helped John Brown recruit supporters for the Harper’s Ferry attack, the start to many more years of service throughout the war. -
California extends property rights to women
On September 9, 1850, California was granted statehood. In their state constitution, they granted women property rights, the first state to do so. Their doing so served as an example to other states, and proved that granting women basic rights is feasible, and does not come with negative altercations, other than women gaining societal status and respect. Women's rights groups were elated to hear the news of this, and inspired them to continue their efforts in the east. -
First National Women's Rights convention held in Worcester, MA
The Worcester Convention was the first national women's rights convention in the U.S. Objects of the meeting were to create the first permanent women’s rights organizations, and found the first woman’s rights newspaper. Women’s rights activists and abolitionists alike were in attendance, and a strong alliance between the two movements was formed. -
Sojourner Truth Presents "Ain't I a Woman" speech
Escaped slave Sojourner Truth devoted her life to the abolitionist cause and helped to recruit black troops for the Union Army. In addition, she worked for the causes of prison reform, property rights and suffrage. She is perhaps most known for her speech, "Ain't I a Woman," delivered at a women's convention in Akron, Ohio. In the speech, she addresses political equality for all women and chastises the abolitionist community for failing to seek civil rights for black women as well as men. -
Harriet Beecher Stowe publishes "Uncle Tom's Cabin"
When author and activist Harriet Beecher Stowe published her novel, "Uncle Tom's Cabin," it immediately became a national sensation, ranking in popularity with the Bible. The book addressed the daily life of a slave, and their experiences, and was the first time many northern whites saw the treatment of slaves on plantations. The book gave an enormous increase in support to the abolitionist cause, and helped the Union gain an understanding of matters before the Civil War. -
Vermont Senate address Women's Property Rights
The issue of women's property rights is presented to the Vermont Senate by Carina Howard Nichols. This was a major issue for the Suffragists, and came to years -
Congress passes the Kansas-Nebraska Act
In 1854, Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which established the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. The legislation repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and renewed tensions between anti-slavery and pro-slavery factions. Violence and much debate followed the establishment of the act, predominantly over slavery. Thus, the Kansas-Nebraska Act was a turning point to the secession. -
Dred Scott Case brought to Congress
The Dred Scott case resulted in the statement that Congress did not have the right to ban slavery in states and, furthermore, that slaves were not citizens. Dred Scott was forced to return to his life in slavery. The case infuriated abolitionists, and increased tensions between the North and South. The case brought to question the faults of having states split on such an impactful issue, both civilly and economically.
