Question

Why did Garrison change his views of following the laws and acting violently?

A. He was influenced by the abolitionist movement.
B. He came to believe that nonviolent resistance was more effective than violence in achieving social change.
C. He was arrested for his activism.
D. He was threatened by violence from pro-slavery forces.

Answer 1

William Lloyd Garrison's perspective on following laws and utilizing violence evolved as he became convinced that moral suasion—appealing to the public's conscience—was the most effective nonviolent method to advocate for immediate emancipation and racial equality.

Step-by-step explanation:

William Lloyd Garrison changed his views on following laws and acting violently because of his belief in moral suasion and nonviolent resistance. Initially, Garrison had advocated for a gradual end to slavery and black colonization, but his views shifted towards immediatism after being influenced by abolitionist literature from black northerners David Walker and James Forten. Garrison became convinced that nonviolent means, specifically appealing to the moral conscience of the public, were the most effective way to bring about social change. Through his newspaper, The Liberator, Garrison advocated for immediate emancipation and racial equality, highlighting the moral imperative to end slavery without resorting to violence. His stance was further reinforced by his evangelical Protestant beliefs.