The abolitionist movement took place in the 1800s in an organized effort to stop slavery in the US. The first leaders who campaigned for the abolition of slavery practices from 1830 to 1870 adopted some tactics used to end slavery in Great Britain by the British abolitionists (Ferrell, 2006). The movement started with religious groups condemning slavery terming it un­ Christian and later became a political subject that threatened the unity of America. Those who supported the movement were engaged in debates and violent confrontations with those who criticized them. The divisions caused by the movement were a factor that contributed to the Civil War that ended slavery in America. Most abolitionists were responsible reformers who upheld the Declaration of Independence as their antislavery foundation, and even though the Gag Rule slowed down their activities, the abolitionist movement led to the rise of the Women's Rights Movement.

Abolitionists were people interested in abolishing slavery in the nineteenth century. They were responsible reformers, although a few of them were irresponsible agitators. The abolitionists who were responsible reformers believed that slaves serving others was wrong, but they also considered it punitive to abruptly terminate slavery in the Southern states which depended on slave labor for their economic activities (Berger et al, 2017). They instead wanted slavery to be abolished gradually through slavery restrictions to the South and preventing more bondage in the Union. A few abolitionists were irresponsible agitators who considered enslavement as unpardonable wickedness and they abruptly freed enslaved people without considering the economic activities in the South that depended on slavery. The abolitionists based their antislavery campaign on the Declaration of Independence.

The anti-slavery movement led the thirteen states of America to come up with the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The Declaration of Independence stated that all persons were born with inalienable rights, and it was the government's responsibility to secure people's rights (Jefferson, 1776). The abolitionists upheld the Declaration of Independence as the foundation of antislavery and abolitionist thought since it regarded equal rights to all men, considering their rights to life and freedom to pursue happiness. The result of the declaration was a plea for the freedom of all enslaved people since all people deserved equal treatment, and abolitionists were for the idea that enslaved people were part of America too. The Declaration of Independence encouraged abolitionists to formulate petitions to Congress in an attempt to push their antislavery campaign.

On May 26, 1836, massive petitioning drives by abolitionist groups to stop slavery led to the adoption of a "Gag Rule" by the House of Representatives. The rule called for the tabling of all petitions related to slavery without being read, referred to, or printed (Holmes, 1988). The Gag Rule was introduced in an effort to stop more abolitionist petitions and limit slavery debates, and also prevent such petitions from being considered. Former President Quincy Adams supported the petitioner's cause and many people supported him, leading to the abolishment of the rule on December 3, 1844. The abolitionist movement won since their petition would be heard and printed, but the vote was seen as a risk by slavery supporters who felt that their power to keep support from the federal government was diminishing. Although the Gag Rule slowed down the abolitionists' effort to fight slavery, it gave the anti-slavery movement energy to push their written demands to the Capitol. Since the abolitionists included women, they too learned to write petitions and fight for their rights, leading to the growth of the Women's Rights Movement.

The abolitionist movement's effort to end slavery resulted in the growth of the Women's Rights Movement. Women's participation in abolishing slavery made them realize they were created equal to men, and they shared the same rights as men. They realized that they were denied their legal and political rights (Jeffrey, 1998). They also saw how their antislavery campaigns would be unfruitful in cases where the debate on slavery fell to a vote and they had no right to contribute. Women started airing their views and sought to be included in leadership positions. One lesson women learned quickly from the abolitionists was how to present their petitions and hold public protests against social injustices. The first convention on women's rights was held in 1848 in Seneca Falls, New York (Jeffrey, 1998). The convention made clear their claims that like men, women were enslaved too. Women made their campaigns useful by fighting to achieve their voting rights.

In conclusion, even though some abolitionists were irresponsible agitators, most of them were responsible reformers who made the Declaration of Independence their foundation in antislavery campaigns. The enactment of the Gig Rule slowed down the activities of the abolitionists but the rule also energized them to push their written petitions to the Capital. The abolitionist movement involved women in their campaigns leading to the growth of the Women’s Rights Movement. The abolitionist movement taught people the need for equality and to fight for their rights.