Abolitionism

The term Abolitionist is most commonly used to describe a movement in the United States prior to the United States Civil War, primarily concerned with the abolition of slavery. While the Quakers were particularly noted for activity in this movement, it was by no means limited to Quaker participation.

Many Abolitionists took an active (and often illegal, by the laws of the time) role putting their principles into practice, by supporting the Underground railroad.

After the Emancipation Proclamation the Abolitionists continued to pursue the freedom of slaves in the remaining slave states, and to better the conditions of black Americans generally. From these principles the Civil rights movement was to eventually take form.

Notable Abolitionists

• John Brown
• Frederick Douglass
• Thomas Garret
• William Lloyd Garrison
• Lucretia Mott
• Wendell Phillips

Other movements described as "abolitionist"

Durned if I know, but there probably are some.