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American Experience

Angelina Grimke Rebels

Despite living in luxury, Angelina Grimke believed slavery was a sin of God.

Aired 01/08/2013 | Rating NR

American Experience

Angelina Grimke Rebels

Clip: Season 25 Episode 12 | 2m 59s

Despite living in luxury, Angelina Grimke believed slavery was a sin of God.

The daughter of one of South Carolina's first families, Angelina Grimke lived in luxury. But she also believed slavery was a sin and God would punish people who had slaves.

Aired 01/08/2013 | Rating NR

Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

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The Emancipation Proclamation and the Civil War

Video has Closed Captions

Abolitionist support for the Union Army grew thanks to the Emancipation Proclamation. (1m 39s)

John Brown Puts His Accusers on Trial

Video has Closed Captions

The raid on Harpers Ferry failed, but Brown successfully brought attention his cause. (2m 21s)

Lincoln's Uncertain Commitment to Emancipation

Video has Closed Captions

Would President Lincoln sign the Emancipation Proclamation? Abolitionists were unsure. (1m 46s)

What Was the Dred Scott Decision?

Video has Closed Captions

In 1857 the Supreme Court ruled against Dred Scott, a slave who sought freedom. (2m)

William Lloyd Garrison, Pacifism, and Abolitionism

Video has Closed Captions

By 1859, the conflict between North and South challenged Garrison's "peace man" status. (1m 7s)

Frederick Douglass Writes His Autobiography

Video has Closed Captions

In his 1845 book, Douglass told the truth about his life as a slave, despite the risk. (1m 49s)

Slavery and the Mexican-American War

Video has Closed Captions

The Mexican-American war (1846-1848) changed the slavery debate. (1m 10s)

Map History With Us!

Download the American Experience: Mapping History iPhone app, featuring The Abolitionists. (1m 55s)

The Abolitionists

Premiering January 8 2013. Turning a fringe movement into a force that changed the nation. (30s)

Angelina Grimke Goes Public

After reading reports of pro-slavery violence, Angelina Grimke began to speak out publicly (2m 59s)

Angelina Leaves Home

In 1829, Angelina Grimke left Charleston for an uncertain future in the North. (1m 37s)

Bearing Witness: American Slavery As It Is

Video has Closed Captions

Theodore Weld, Angelina Grimke, and Sarah Grimke's 1839 book documented slavery's horrors. (1m 12s)

The Book that Made the War

Video has Closed Captions

Uncle Tom's Cabin was published in 1852 and changed American opinions on slavery. (2m 4s)

Burning Abolitionist Literature

The Anti-Slavery Society's great postal campaign of 1835 triggered a wave of repression. (1m 58s)

Defying the Fugitive Slave Law

Video has Closed Captions

The 1850 Fugitive Slave Law imposed the rule of Slave states onto Free states. (1m 48s)

The Economics of Slavery

Video has Closed Captions

What was the economic value of slavery to 19th century American life? (1m 46s)

A Eulogy to the Movement

Frederick Douglass offers a eulogy to the abolitionist movement at Garrison's funeral. (2m 47s)

Frederick Douglass Begins to Understand Slavery

Frederick Douglass had just begun his life as a slave when he watched his aunt get beaten (2m 10s)

Frederick Douglass, Pacifism, and Abolitionism

Video has Closed Captions

Douglass questions the pacifism of white abolitionists such as William Lloyd Garrison. (1m 34s)

Frederick Douglass Reacts

In 1833, Frederick Douglass was sent to a slave breaker to be beaten back into submission. (2m 59s)

Fugitive Slave Act

The Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 made the hunting down of escaped slaves full legal. (2m 19s)

Garrison Introduces Douglass

William Lloyd Garrison speaks to a crowd in Nantucket and introduces Frederick Douglass. (2m 16s)

Garrison Publishes "The Liberator"

William Lloyd Garrison published the first issue of "The Liberator" on January 1, 1831. (2m 21s)

Harriet Beecher Stowe Visits a Slave State

On a trip to Kentucky in 1833, Harriet Beecher witnessed slavery up close. (2m 21s)

A Radical Wedding and a Violent Response

Video has Closed Captions

Abolitionists Theodore Weld and Angelina Grimke wed in a "scandalous" 1838 ceremony. (2m 59s)

Violence Against Abolitionists

Video has Closed Captions

Abolitionists were surprised by the vehement reactions to their 1835 postal campaign. (1m 20s)

A Viral Campaign against Slavery

Video has Closed Captions

In 1835, William Lloyd Garrison and Lewis Tappan proposed an anti-slavery campaign. (1m 40s)

Why We Made The Abolitionists

A "transformative moment in history that stems from actions of ordinary individuals." (2m 59s)

William Lloyd Garrison arrives in Boston

William Lloyd Garrison moved to Boston at 22. Abolishing slavery is his main cause. (2m 7s)

Women's Voices in the Abolitionist Movement

Video has Closed Captions

The Grimke sisters, Angelina and Sarah, lectured against slavery throughout the 1830s. (1m 19s)

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Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

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