An abolitionist is an individual who advocated for the immediate end of slavery and the emancipation of enslaved people. Abolitionists were part of a broader social movement known as abolitionism, which sought to abolish the institution of slavery, primarily in the United States and the British Empire during the 18th and 19th centuries. These activists believed that slavery was morally wrong, inhumane, and a violation of the fundamental principles of human rights and dignity. Abolitionists came from diverse backgrounds, including formerly enslaved individuals, religious leaders, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens. The abolitionist movement employed a variety of strategies to achieve its goals. Some abolitionists advocated for immediate emancipation and equal rights through nonviolent means, such as petitions, rallies, and moral persuasion. Others believed that more radical measures, including armed rebellion, were necessary to dismantle the institution of slavery. Abolitionists also played a crucial role in the legal and political arenas, pushing for legislative changes that would end slavery and protect the rights of freed individuals. The efforts of abolitionists were instrumental in the eventual abolition of slavery. In the United States, their activism helped to create the conditions for the Civil War, which ultimately led to the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 and the ratification of the 13th Amendment in 1865, which formally abolished slavery.