What was a major goal of the Abolitionist Movement?

The Abolitionist Movement was fundamentally rooted in the moral and ethical commitment to eliminate slavery in the United States. Activists within this movement sought to address the contradiction of a nation that proclaimed ideals of liberty and personal freedom while simultaneously permitting the enslavement of individuals. By advocating for the end of slavery, abolitionists aimed to uphold the principles of equality and justice that are central to American democracy.

The movement drew on philosophical, religious, and humanitarian arguments to rally support, emphasizing the inalienable rights of every individual. Leaders like Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and William Lloyd Garrison articulated these views, often highlighting the profound injustices and inhumanity associated with slavery.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the primary focus of the movement. Promoting industrialization in the South does not relate to the abolitionist cause, which was primarily concerned with human rights rather than economic development. Establishing new colonies in the West and creating a national education system, while significant issues of their time, were not central to the abolitionist agenda; rather, they reflect broader social and political developments unrelated to the immediate goal of ending slavery.