What was the stance of abolitionists in the context of American ideals?

Abolitionists were individuals and groups committed to ending slavery, which fundamentally contradicted the ideals of liberty and equality upon which the United States was founded. They believed that all individuals, regardless of race, were entitled to the same rights and freedoms. This movement was rooted in moral arguments, as well as a belief in the inherent dignity of all human beings. Therefore, their advocacy was not merely about social change but an essential challenge to the deeply ingrained institution of slavery, which they saw as incompatible with American democratic principles. The widespread abolitionist movement saw figures like Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman work tirelessly to promote the idea that true American ideals could only be achieved when slavery was abolished.