American Experience: The Abolitionists

KTTZ | By Editor

Published January 8, 2013 at 5:03 PM CST

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Signature image from THE ABOLITIONISTS: AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

Courtesy of WGBH

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Portrait of Frederick Douglass, circa 1860.

Courtesy of The New-York Historical Society

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Portrait of William Lloyd Garrison, circa 1861.

Courtesy of Special Collection, Fine Arts Library, Harvard University

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John Brown (T. Ryder Smith) tries to persuade Frederick Douglass (Richard Brooks) to join his planned assault on Harper's Ferry as Shields Green (Thomas Coleman) looks on.

Courtesy of WGBH/Antony Platt

The battle between pro-slavery and free-soil contingents rises to fever pitch. During his raid on Harpers Ferry, John Brown is captured, then executed, becoming a martyr for the cause. Abraham Lincoln is elected president in 1860. Southern states secede, war breaks out and the conflict unexpectedly drags on. On New Year’s Day 1863, it is announced that Lincoln has emancipated the slaves in rebel territory. African-American men may now enlist in the Union forces; two of Douglass’ sons go to war. In December 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment is ratified, banning slavery in all states — forever.

Part 3 airs Tuesday, January 22, at 8pm on Channel 5.

http://video.pbs.org/video/2322816384