Reflections on the Slavery Abolition Movement

In class today, my classmate presented a video about the slavery abolition movement, and it gave me a deeper understanding of how Britain eventually ended the slave trade. The video focused on the activists who fought against slavery and the legislative victories that finally brought it to an end.

The presentation explained that slavery had no moral, ethical, or logical basis, which inspired abolitionists across Britain to take action against this injustice. These activists recognized that treating human beings as property was fundamentally wrong and began organizing to demand change. However, even as opposition to slavery grew and more people joined the abolitionist cause, the British slave trade still carried on for many years. This showed me how difficult it was to dismantle such a profitable and deeply entrenched system.

A portrait of William Wilberforce

I learned that William Wilberforce became the face of the movement in Britain. He dedicated his life to fighting slavery and pushed for legislative change through Parliament. Wilberforce spent years trying to convince lawmakers to outlaw the practice, facing significant opposition from those who benefited financially from the slave trade. His persistence and commitment to justice were truly inspiring.

The video highlighted two major legislative victories. In 1807, Parliament passed the Slave Trade Act, which prohibited the trading of enslaved people within the British Empire. This was an important first step, but it didn't immediately free those who were already enslaved. It took another 26 years of activism before Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, which finally abolished slavery throughout most of the British Empire.

An Image of the Slavery Abolition, 1833

This presentation reminded me that social change takes time, persistence, and courage. The abolitionists' dedication to justice eventually triumphed, showing that determined individuals can make a real difference in fighting injustice.

Nat Turner Uprising

A Portrait of Nat Turner

        The Nat Turner Uprising was one of the most significant slave rebellions in American history. Nat Turner lived in Southampton County, Virginia and he was enslaved. Nat Turner stood out at an early age because he learned how to read and write which was extremely rare for anyone in the enslaved community. He was also very religious and believed that God had chosen him to lead his people out of slavery. Nat Turner saw divine visions from God which made Turner believe it was his mission to fight back, and that belief pushed him to start the uprising.

  History.com states that the rebellion began when Turner and a small group of followers attacked the family that enslaved him. From there, they moved from one plantation to another, freeing some enslaved people and killing about 60 white men, women, and children. Turner hoped this would inspire other enslaved people to join in and rise up against slavery. For a short time, it looked like his plan might work. 

       At first, the rebellion gave enslaved people hope. It was one of the only times in American history when enslaved people fought back in such a big way. Turner showed courage by taking a stand, and his followers were willing to risk their lives for freedom. However, the uprising soon went wrong. The killing of women and children shocked many people, even some who were against slavery. Instead of spreading, the rebellion was quickly crushed by local militias and angry white farmers. Turner went into hiding but was later caught and executed.

An Illustration of The Uprising

    The worst part came after the rebellion was over. This uprising absolutely terrified white southerners, they retaliated in constant and harsh violence. White mobs and militias killed around 100 to 200 Black people, most of whom had nothing to do with the uprising. Slave laws became even stricter. Enslaved people were no longer allowed to learn to read or gather together, even for church, without white supervision. Instead of moving toward freedom, slavery became even harsher. The southerners thought that if the enslaved community were smarter they would be more of a threat and they were scared of another uprising or rebellion.

Title Page of Nat Turner 
Confession

    The Nat Turner uprising is remembered as both powerful and tragic. Turner wanted freedom, and that goal was completely right. Slavery was cruel, violent, and unfair, and enslaved people had every reason to fight against it. But the rebellion failed because the violence against women and children made people see Turner as dangerous and cruel instead of heroic. Nat Turner's resilience was honorable, but instead of ending slavery, the rebellion gave slaveholders more excuses to keep control and increase restrictions. 

In the end, Nat Turner’s rebellion showed how desperate enslaved people were for freedom, but also how hard it was to achieve it. The uprising made it clear that slavery could not last forever and was extremely unstable because people would always resist it. At the same time, it proved that violence could backfire and make life even worse. Turner’s rebellion is still debated today, but it will always be remembered as a turning point that showed both the hope and the tragedy of fighting back.

I used Resource bank for my summary and I got my in depth information of the Uprising and Nat Turner himself Resource Bank

Marketplace of Ideas:

 In 1644, November 23rd John Milton published "Areopagitica", a speech which introduced a revolutionary concept that is widely considered as one of the most influential factors that helped shape the ideas behind the first amendment. 

The original 1644 Pamphlet of
Areopagitica.

When Milton was writing this pamphlet, he was not just arguing against government licensing of printed materials, he was giving a foundation for what we know call the "Marketplace of Ideas." The First Amendment Watch states that Milton believed that free and open encounters between diverse views serve not to weaken the truth, but to confirm it. Milton was responding to the licensing order of 1643 which requires government approval before a book or story could be published or printed. This is an idea of censoring freedom of speech, which Milton deemed as a threat as an attempt to hide the truth. Milton continuously argued that if the truth and lies are allowed to come out, then the truth will ultimately prevail. 

        What really stands out to me is the emotional weight that is behind Milton's words. It is easy to see how truly passionate he is about how censorship hurts society. I find myself agreeing with him, because I believe we can only truly understand what is true when we confront the ideas that are in our way.

     It's truly discouraging to see how many lies we face today as a society with social media, and even well credible sources constantly misinterpreting important information and even twisting words to make information sound differently. In today's world, false information can spread faster than ever before and it could be very difficult sometimes to tell which is true or false. Although, Milton's writing inspires and influences many people across the world, including well known political philosopher John Locke. Locke and Milton's arguments had become part of the intellectual background that informed colonial resistance to leadership.

Milton Defending Free Speech
Nebraska Capital

    

    It's hard not to admire the courage and foresight that Milton showed in his writing. Even though its impossible to predict our current world challenges, the principal of his argument stands as something most people can agree with.  Milton's defense of the Marketplace of Ideas shows us that the truth is really not fragile. Truth may not always come out or win immediately, but giving it the chance to fight of falsehood is essential. Reading Milton's words makes me realize how deeply his ideas shaped the freedoms we can enjoy in today's society under the first amendment. For me, it is inspiring to see how just one Pamphlet written hundred and hundreds of years ago, can influence our freedom.

        

        

What Does the Bible say About Slavery

The Bible addresses slavery in multiple passages across both the Old and New Testaments, and its teachings have been interpreted in many different ways over time. In the Old Testament while scripture does not strictly say to abolish the idea of slavery, instead passages state instructions for slaves and masters who unfortunately live in the system, to cooperate with Godly behavior, if it is unavoidable. Slavery was accepted as part of the economic and social structure, but it included various regulations intended to provide some level of protection for slaves. The biblical perspective on slavery presents a complex narrative that has shaped centuries of theological and social debates. When I examine the scripture, I find that the Bible operates within the cultural assumptions of its ancient context while simultaneously containing morals and principals that have been interpreted in different ways.

According to Open Bible in the New Testament, Paul's letters reveal this complexity most clearly. I observe that passages like Ephesians 6:5-9 and Colossians 3:22-4:1 instruct slaves to obey their masters while commanding masters to treat slaves well. Paul's letter to Philemon demonstrates this tension perfectly—he returns the slave Onesimus but appeals for kindness. Yet I also note that 1 Corinthians 7:20-24 suggests freedom is preferable, and Galatians 3:28 declares there is "neither slave nor free" in Christ.

        It's also very interesting to hear different people’s opinions regarding this topic. Christians came to see slavery as incompatible with the heart of the gospel. They emphasized that although the Bible acknowledges slavery as part of the ancient world, the broader biblical themes point toward justice, mercy, and freedom. Abolitionists in the 18th and 19th centuries frequently appealed to passages like

Verse Genesis 1:27
"So God created Man in His own image, in 
the image of God Created Him."

which teaches that all people are created in the image of God, and Galatians 3:28, which declares that in Christ there is “neither slave nor free.” These Christians argued that the biblical vision of human equality and dignity calls for the end of slavery, even if the institution was not explicitly condemned in biblical times.  

The Bible and Slavery The Bible and Slavery states how Biblical scholars and historians often approach the question of slavery in the Bible differently than faith communities. From a historical-critical perspective, the Bible reflects the social, economic, and cultural realities of the ancient Near East and Greco-Roman world, where slavery was deeply embedded in society. Scholars point out that in Ancient Israel, slavery functioned as a form of indentured servitude often tied to debt or war, and the laws in the Old Testament sought to regulate and limit abuses within that system.

St. Peters Basilica, Vatican City, Rome Italy.

I find that the historical impact is particularly revealing. Eighteenth and nineteenth century slavery defenders cited Paul's household codes as divine approval, while abolitionists emphasized creation in God's image and Jesus's ministry to be oppressed. This demonstrates how the same texts supported opposing interpretations and perspectives. Today's scholarly consensus acknowledges that while biblical texts regulate slavery within their cultural context, the broader emphasis on human dignity and justice provides foundation for anti-slavery positions. Understanding this requires careful consideration of historical context and hermeneutical principles.

Supreme Court Reflection

Talking About Freedom: Supreme Court 

The Supreme Court of the United States is the most powerful judicial body in the country. Its authority is rooted not in force, but in public trust and the enduring relevance of the Constitution, which it interprets to uphold justice. Over 200 years ago, John Marshall, a lawyer from Virginia, was appointed Chief Justice. Under his leadership, the Court established its power by striking down an act of Congress as unconstitutional, setting a precedent for judicial review. This decision helped define the balance between the three branches of government. At one point, Congress claimed it had no power to end slavery, but the Civil War and subsequent constitutional amendments overturned that stance. These amendments granted formerly enslaved people citizenship and voting rights, reshaping the meaning of freedom in America.

The Supreme Court of the United States

One of the earliest and most influential Chief Justices was John Marshall, a lawyer from Virginia. Under his leadership, the Court established the principle of judicial review by striking down an act of Congress as unconstitutional, helping define the balance of power between the branches of government. However, the Court's decisions haven’t always strengthened the government’s image. The infamous Dred Scott v. Sandford decision in 1857 ruled that African Americans, whether enslaved or free, could not be American citizens and that Congress had no authority to prohibit slavery in U.S. territories. This ruling made Congress appear weak and deeply divided the nation, pushing it closer to civil war. Today, each Supreme Court Justice is supported by a team of law clerks. The Justices meet weekly to discuss and vote on cases. After a decision is made, the Justices on the losing side often write a dissenting opinion, which provides a counterpoint and deeper insight into the case.

All disclosure: After taking notes while watching the Supreme Court video, I used Microsoft Co pilot to smooth the text and format it in a readable way. I then edited the AI-Generated text. I added photos and captions, then I expanded on the writing with my own personal thoughts and opinions.