The Abolition movement was a powerful force in the years leading up to the Civil War. Led by such notables as William Lloyd Garrison and Benjamin Lundy, the movement raised the consciousness of the citizens of the North and helped to create a strong anti-slavery sentiment. However, the movement also had the unintended consequence of contributing to the South's defense of slavery. The South's dogged defense of slavery contributed to a southern sense of isolation from the rest of the nation, which fueled the fires of sectionalism and ultimately brought about the start of the Civil War.