Harriet Beecher Stowe, born in 1811 in Litchfield, Connecticut, wrote one of the most famous antislavery novels in American history.

Antislavery sentiments spread in the later 18^th century and continued to grow into the early 1800’s. Wealthy merchants in the North began drifting away from slavery, and by the 19^th century most northern states had abolished slavery or were gradually ending it. The South, however, continued to use slaves on their plantations considering their economy needed slaves to do the labor. The abolitionist movement in the North continued to grow, as a number of reformers criticized the institution of slavery and called for its end. Continue reading Harriet Beecher Stowe

During his life from 1818 to 1895, Fredrick Douglass was an advocate for abolition. His freedom was purchased in 1846 for $711; however, he rose to prominence and was published while still in bondage. Douglass felt that blacks needed to represent themselves in American literature, rather than be represented by white writers. With a belief in the promises of America’s founding principles, Douglass writes in order to exact the change which will enable him and all others burdened by servitude to attain their American Dream. Continue reading Fredrick Douglass