Some historians say that attacks by abolitionists strengthened sectionalism in the south instead of weakening it. Sectionalism can be defined as a strong loyalty to a region (the South in this case) as opposed to the nation the region belongs to. Many southerners felt more loyal to the Southern way of life, that was dependent upon slavery, instead of thinking about the good of other citizens of the country.
Abolitionists might have been contributing to the tension arising over slavery by: distributing anti-slavery pamphlets and newspapers condemning slavery (and those who support it) as evil and immoral. This was done to shame those in favor of slavery, many of whom claimed to be Christians, adding to tensions in the United States south. Another way abolitionists fanned the flames of tension surrounding slavery was by supporting rebellions, such as the slave rebellion led by Nat Turner, that resulted in the death of men, women, and children.
Two specific examples of the southern response to the abolitionist’s attacks were state laws meant to control free blacks and slaves restricting the right to assemble (or gather) and the right to bear arms (or own weapons); inciting hysteria with militias and mobs executing and killing large numbers of blacks that had nothing to do with the rebellions to create fear and to suppress the abolitionist movement.