Abolitionism: Unterschied zwischen den Versionen

For some slaves, freedom may have meant an experience of loss more than of joy: loss of housing, ways and means of physical survival, social relations, and sense of purpose. How large was the number of freed slaves with this kind of experience? How serious was their situation? Which factors were responsible for this experience - and did the suddenness (i.e. lack of time for transition) have anything to do with it? If so, does the variable of time have to be reflected with relation to the immediatism that is so characteristic of abolitionism? This would raise questions like: (a) would a slower and more pragmatic emancipation have been possible/preferable to the immediatist approach in politics? Does theoretical abolitionism have a responsibility for the negative consequences of liberation? (b) has evidence of negative consequences of abolition been suppressed for ideological reasons? (c) could such a censure, if it existed, be justified in order not to tarnish the positive image of abolition as such?

#Another open question refers to the pre-conditions that allowed the abolitionist discourse to gain hegemonial status within half a century. Did the "innocence" of the slaves play a role in abolitionist narratives? How did worldly (human rights) and religious (salvery as a sin) arguments relate to each other? What was the role of popular books (Uncle Tom's Cabin) and symbols (Wedgwood medallions) in convincing the larger public of the abolitionist cause?

==== The Role of Religion ====