What was abolitionist?

Answer 1

The abolitionist movement began to gather support in Northern states in the 1830's. It was a small but vocal group that believed that slavery was immoral. They demanded that the institution of slavery be abolished at once. While few Northerners could disagree about the immorality of slavery, to somehow, abolish it at once seemed impossible. Most Americans believed that the abolitionists were far too radical. Some Northerners believed that an abrupt end to slavery would see the North flooded with free slaves that would cause economic and social unrest.