Radical Abolitionist Party

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Radical Abolitionist Party
Founded1855;170 years ago (1855)
Dissolved1859;166 years ago (1859)
Split from Liberty Party
Merged into Republican Party
Succeeded by Radical Republicans
Ideology Abolitionism

The Radical Abolitionist Party (also known as the Radical Political Abolition Party and American Abolition Society) was a political party formed by abolitionists in the United States in the decade preceding the American Civil War as part of a reaction to the Kansas-Nebraska Act. [1] By the start of the Civil War in 1861, the party had mostly faded, as the national debate over Slavery in the United States shifted and other parties (such as the Republican Party) absorbed its more moderate elements.

Contents

History

Background

The Radical Abolition Party was distinct from other contemporary political groups of the time for their aims to immediately eliminate the institution of slavery (rather than containing it to where it already existed) and fought hard for full citizenship rights to be granted to African Americans. They advocated for other marginalized groups, such as women and Native Americans. [2] Many prominent black and white abolitionists in the United States were founders and members of this new party, including Frederick Douglass, James McCune Smith, William Goodell, Gerrit Smith, and John Brown. It did not elect candidates to office, but rather made significant contributions to political discourse and helped shape the Republican Party's future platform on slavery. [3] The party's roots were founded in the Liberty Party of 1840. The Liberty Party split with the more conservative wing evolving into the Free Soil Party, and the more radical wing evolving into the Radical Abolition Party. [1]

Formation (Convention of 1855)

The inaugural convention for the Radical Abolitionist Party was held in Syracuse, New York on the 28th of June 1855, with delegates in attendance reporting from the states of New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, New Jersey and Connecticut. Several black Canadian abolitionists and ministers who had left the United States and resettled in Canada were in attendance, as well as allies of Frederick Douglass and Gerrit Smith, who both had ties across the border. The convention became historically significant when James McCune Smith, a black man, became the first African American to chair a national convention. [1]

Disbandment

The Radical Abolitionist Party unofficially ended around the year 1859, not through a formal act, but due to loss of political reverence, absorption into broader anti-slavery efforts, and the fallout from events like John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry. Because of such events, particularly John Brown's raid in October 1859, the publics consensus changed; "radical abolitionism" was now becoming synonyms with "violent insurrection" in the eyes of those Americans who once had abundant support for the cause. Once the Civil War began in 1861, the party had effectively disbanded, and its members were working through other means. [3]

Activities

Publishing and distribution of information

The party distributed printed materials such as pamphlets and newspapers to make their arguments more widely known. Examples include: [3]

Elections

During the 1856 United States presidential election, the Radical Abolition Party drew a small number of votes away from the Republican candidate John C. Frémont. Despite being the candidate nominated by the Radical Abolition Party, Gerrit Smith surprisingly provided financial support to Frémont's campaign. Frederick Douglass also voiced support for Frémont, saying, “it is better to have half of a loaf than no loaf at all." [3] The Radical Abolition Party continued to nominate Gerrit Smith as their candidate in the 1858 New York gubernatorial election and 1860 presidential election, but was unsuccessful in both. [1]

Ideology

Distinctions from contemporary parties

The primary ideology of the Radical Abolition Party's platform was based in an active form of abolitionism that was distinct from how other political parties of the time approached the issue of slavery. They were ideologically farthest distanced with the Whigs, Democrats, and Know-Nothing parties that supported and actively worked to perpetuate the institution of slavery. The Free Soilers and Republican parties were ideologically closer but held less radical views. Kellie Carter Jackson argues that “while Free Soilers and Republicans were playing defense in terms of slavery's expansion, Radical Abolitionists were taking up an offensive stance. They firmly advocated for African American rights, including citizenship." [2] One could assume the Radical Abolitionist Party were ideologically closest to the American Anti-Slavery Society (or Garrison Party). The Radical Abolitionists believed the Garrison Party's primary strategy of moral suasion was insufficient to eradicate slavery. They also disagreed with the Garrison Party's view regarding the Constitution as the Radical Abolitionists interpreted the Constitution as a fundamentally anti-slavery document. [2]

Constitutional argument for abolishing slavery

William Goodell contributed his formulation of the Constitutional argument against slavery which was grounded in his interpretation of multiple provisions: [3]

John Stauffer argues Goodell's constitutional argument is based on John Quincy Adams' original interpretation, which did not allow immediate emancipation as a realistic possibility. Instead, he believed it would eventually happen through a more gradual process. [1]

The Dred Scott decision hindered Radical Abolitionists' efforts to convince people of the constitutional argument. The majority opinion by Chief Justice Taney and dissenting opinion by Justice Curtis and Justice McLean directly countered the Radical Abolitionists' constitutional interpretation. [3]

Use of violence

Scholars have different interpretations of another distinct feature of the Radical Abolition Party which is their affirmation of using violence as a strategy.

Perkal contends “the question of using violent means to abolish slavery was the most divisive issue at the Convention." [3]

Stauffer argues “the party's platform specifically affirmed violence as a way to end slavery and oppression.” [1] His description of the events at the inaugural convention suggests there was overwhelming support from attendants after letters written by John Brown's sons were read out loud. The letters described the ongoing violence in Kansas following the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Stauffer goes on to describe how John Brown received fervent support including funds and weapons. [1]

Jackson's interpretation aligns with Stauffer as she describes how for Radical Abolitionists, “violence was justified and even sanctioned from a biblical standpoint." [2] She goes on to share a powerful quote from James McCune Smith,

“Our white brethren cannot understand us unless we speak to them in their own language; they recognize only the philosophy of force” [2]

Legacy

Stauffer argues that despite the Radical Abolition Party's brief time, their existence has "…deep cultural relevance…unprecedented moment of interracial unity and collapsing of racial barriers.” [1]

Perkal also emphasizes the party's significance despite the modest results from campaign activities by arguing the party had "an important role in the antislavery movement of the 1850's. The radicals were able to exert some moral influence upon the Republican Party, perhaps preventing further compromise with abolitionist ideals." [3]

Electoral history

Presidential tickets

ElectionTicketElectoral results
Presidential nomineeRunning matePopular voteElectoral votesRanking
1856 Gerrit Smith Samuel McFarland0.00%
0 / 296
4
1860 Gerrit Smith Samuel McFarland0.00%
0 / 303
5

Other prominent members

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Stauffer, John (2002). The Black Hearts of Men. Harvard University Press. ISBN   9780674013674.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Jackson, Kellie Carter (2019). Force and freedom: black abolitionists and the politics of violence. America in the nineteenth century. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN   978-0-8122-5115-9.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Perkal, M. Leon (1980). "American Abolition Society: A Viable Alternative to the Republican Party?" . The Journal of Negro History. 65 (1): 57–71. doi:10.2307/3031548. ISSN   0022-2992. JSTOR   3031548.
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