What major event did the abolitionist movement lead to in the 19th century?

Prepare for the AICE US History Exam with multiple choice questions and flashcards, complete with hints and explanations. Ace your exam now!

The abolitionist movement was a significant force in the 19th century that aimed to end the institution of slavery in the United States. The widespread activism, literature, and public engagement spearheaded by abolitionists galvanized public opinion against slavery. This mounting tension between abolitionist sentiments and pro-slavery interests contributed to the sectional divides that ultimately erupted into the Civil War.

The movement helped to raise awareness of the moral and ethical implications of slavery, influencing a burgeoning national debate. Prominent abolitionists, such as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, played critical roles in heightening the urgency of the anti-slavery cause. As the conflict between the Northern and Southern states intensified, the failure to find a political resolution to the issue of slavery led to the secession of Southern states and the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.

In contrast to the Civil Rights Movement, which occurred a century later and addressed ongoing racial discrimination, the Reconstruction Era, which followed the Civil War, focused on rebuilding the United States and integrating formerly enslaved individuals into society. The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, specifically aimed at freeing enslaved people in the Confederate states, but it was the broader abolitionist movement that helped create

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