Final answer:
The splintering of the AASS was not solely due to Henry Highland Garnet's leadership but also stemmed from ideological divisions over women's rights and abolition strategy. Deep rifts formed within the Society over the inclusion of women in leadership roles and suffragette support. These conflicts caused some conservative members to form a separate organization, the American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society.
Step-by-step explanation:
American Anti-Slavery Society (AASS) and Its Splintering
The American Anti-Slavery Society (AASS), founded by William Lloyd Garrison, played a pivotal role in the abolitionist movement. Starting with its founding in 1833, the AASS quickly grew to have 250,000 members by 1838. From its inception, the Society adhered to a principle of moral suasion to combat slavery, emphasizing the sinful nature of the practice and appealing to the conscience of the public. Garrison, known for his uncompromising stance against slavery, rejected moderation and colonization, arguing fervently for immediate emancipation.
However, discord within the Society arose over various issues, including women's rights. Many members could not reconcile the Society's endorsement of women in leadership roles and the push for women's suffrage, viewing it as a distraction from the primary goal of abolishing slavery. This disagreement led to a split in 1833 when conservative members under Arthur Tappan formed the American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society. It is important to note that the splintering of the AASS was not solely attributable to Henry Highland Garnet's radical leadership, as some had mistakenly suggested, but also to deep ideological divides within the abolitionist ranks over gender equality and methodology.
While women and black men were often excluded from leadership positions in the AASS, separate female anti-slavery societies emerged, allowing women to actively participate and lead within the abolitionist movement. Key figures such as Frederick Douglass also played an integral role in the AASS, using their voices and writings to further the cause of abolition. Despite the fractures within the Society, it remained a forceful advocate for abolition, eventually contributing to the rise of the Liberty Party, committed to abolishing slavery.