The Glasgow Emancipation Society and the American Anti-Slavery Movement

Jezierski, Rachael A. (2011) The Glasgow Emancipation Society and the American Anti-Slavery Movement. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This study reinterprets the history of the Glasgow Emancipation Society and its relationship to the American anti-slavery movement in the nineteenth century. It examines the role of economics, religion and reform, from Colonial times up to the US Civil War, in order to determine its influence on abolition locally and nationally. This thesis emphasizes the reformist tendencies of the Glasgow abolitionists and how this dynamic significantly influenced their adherence to the original American Anti-Slavery Society and William Lloyd Garrison. It questions the infallibility of the evangelical response to anti-slavery in Scotland, demonstrating how Scottish-American ecclesiastical ties, and the preservation of Protestant unity, often conflicted with abolitionist efforts in Glasgow. It also focuses on the true leaders of GES, persons often ignored in historical accounts concerning Scottish anti-slavery, which explains the motivation and rational behind the society’s zealous attitude and proactive policies. It argues that similar social, political and religious imperatives that affected the American movement likewise mirrored events in Scotland influencing Glaswegian anti-slavery. Lastly, it resurrects the legacy of the Glasgow Emancipation Society from its provincial role, showing it was, in fact, a leader in the British campaign against American slavery.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Glasgow Emancipation Society, American anti-slavery movement, William Lloyd Garrison, abolition, slavery, Scottish reform, American Anti-Slavery Society, abolitionism, anti-slavery, Scottish-American, Anglo-American, Glasgow, slave trade
• Subjects: E History America > E151 United States (General); J Political Science > JZ International relations; D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > History
• Supervisor's Name: Cowan, Professor Edward and Kidd, Professor Colin
• Date of Award: 2011
• Depositing User: Rachael Jezierski
• Unique ID: glathesis:2011-2641
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 23 Jun 2011
• Last Modified: 22 Dec 2015 14:41
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/2641