Debating Abolition

Pretend you were a contributor to the debate on slavery in the lead-up to the American Civil War.

Regardless of which side you choose to represent, try to capture the compounding tension, the overlapping interests and the passionate rhetoric that defined this era. This can involve creating speeches, correspondence, or diary entries. This prompt highlights the power of persuasive language, the complexity of social justice issues, and the historical contestation of deeply-held beliefs.