Definition and goals of abolitionism

Summary

Abolitionism (or the abolitionist movement) is the political movement aimed at ending slavery and liberating enslaved people worldwide. It gained major momentum in the Western world in the late 18th and 19th centuries, with campaigns targeting both the institution of slavery and, in many cases, related systems such as the slave trade. The movement’s goals were pursued through law, political action, public advocacy, and organized activism across different countries and regions. The goals of abolitionism were not only to abolish slavery in law but also to secure freedom in practice for those enslaved. In various places, abolition efforts included gradual emancipation measures, legal restrictions on slaveholding, and eventual full abolition. Internationally, abolitionism also helped drive investigations and treaties intended to eradicate slavery, and it contributed to the broader shift toward recognizing slavery as incompatible with human rights—reflected later in international declarations and laws.

Key Points

• 1

  Abolitionism is a political movement focused on ending slavery and freeing enslaved individuals worldwide.

• 2

  It gained momentum in the late 18th and 19th centuries and used legal and political strategies to abolish slavery and, often, the slave trade.

• 3

  Abolitionism’s goals extended beyond formal legal change to achieving real emancipation and influencing international human-rights norms.