At the National Convention of Colored Citizens in Buffalo, New York, in 1843. Henry Highland Garnett, a prominent abolitionist, made a radical speech advocating for enslaved people to revolt and fight for their freedom. He argued that it was the moral duty of enslaved individuals to resist their oppressors, even through violent rebellion. His speech called for a general strike and resistance throughout black communities in America, encouraging a more active and militant approach to abolition.

However, not everyone in attendance supported Garnett’s call for violent revolt. Frederick Douglass, another leading abolitionist, famously disagreed with Garnett’s position. Douglass advocated for a more peaceful, intellectual approach to ending slavery, focusing on education, moral suasion, and political action. His opposition to Garnett’s call for violence reflected his belief in a more gradual and nonviolent struggle for freedom.

This disagreement between Garnett and Douglass highlighted differing ideologies within the abolitionist movement, with some pushing for more radical action and others preferring a more measured approach.