The Fight Against Legal Hypocrisy: Abolitionists' Battle for Freedom

What was one of the key arguments used by abolitionists in the late nineteenth century to support their cause?

The second paragraph from Joaquim Nabuco's book "Abolitionism" provides insight into this question.

Final answer:

Abolitionists in the late nineteenth century pointed out the hypocrisy and contradiction between the principles set in constitutions (freedom, equality) and the actual practice of slavery. By emphasizing these discrepancies, they made a strong argument against the system of slavery.

Explanation:

The second paragraph from Abolitionism by Joaquim Nabuco would directly support the claim that abolitionists in the late nineteenth century supported their position by highlighting the legal hypocrisy and contradiction within their own society. They pointed out how their constitution's lofty principles of freedom and equality did not apply to slaves, a significant segment of the population. These contradictions were used as a strong foundation in their argument against slavery. For example, Nabuco highlights that while the constitution emphasizes equality and abolition of cruel punishments, enslaved people were forced to work without compensation or rights, marking a stark discrepancy between the nation's principles and its practices.

Abolitionists utilized these disparities to showcase the injustice and inhumanity of the institution of slavery. By shedding light on the gap between the constitutional provisions and the lived reality of enslaved individuals, they aimed to awaken society to the immorality of the system and advocate for its elimination.