In the early 19th century, when the issue of slavery divided the United States, a determined group of individuals rose up to fight for human dignity and freedom. Among the most significant developments in this movement was the creation of the American Anti-Slavery Society, a powerful national organization committed to the immediate abolition of slavery. The president of the first American Anti-Slavery Society was Arthur Tappan, a wealthy businessman and philanthropist whose leadership and funding played a vital role in launching one of the most influential abolitionist organizations in American history. His presidency marked a critical beginning for organized, national antislavery activism.
The Formation of the American Anti-Slavery Society
Founded in December 1833 in Philadelphia, the American Anti-Slavery Society (AASS) was established by a group of abolitionists who believed that slavery was a moral evil that needed to end immediately. The society was based on the principle of immediate emancipation without compensation to slaveholders. It aimed to promote antislavery views through pamphlets, speeches, newspapers, and petitions to government institutions.
The Philadelphia Convention
The society was formed during a convention that lasted several days. Dozens of reformers, both Black and white, gathered to draft the organization’s Declaration of Sentiments. William Lloyd Garrison, a leading abolitionist and the publisher of The Liberator, played a major role in crafting the society’s philosophy and vision. However, when the time came to elect a president, the members chose Arthur Tappan, a respected businessman with deep moral convictions and strong organizational skills.
- Founded: 1833 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Goal: Immediate abolition of slavery in the United States
- Key Figures: Arthur Tappan (president), William Lloyd Garrison, Theodore Weld, Lewis Tappan
Who Was Arthur Tappan?
Arthur Tappan was born in 1786 in Massachusetts. He was a successful silk merchant and a deeply religious man influenced by the moral teachings of evangelical Christianity. Along with his brother Lewis Tappan, Arthur used his wealth and influence to support a variety of social reform movements, including temperance, education, and abolition. He believed that slavery was incompatible with Christian values and saw it as a stain on the nation’s conscience.
Philanthropy and Reform
Tappan was not just a man of words he was a man of action. He helped fund schools for African Americans, supported newspapers that promoted abolitionist ideas, and offered financial assistance to escaped slaves. His home and business were often targeted by pro-slavery mobs, but he remained undeterred in his mission. Tappan’s integrity and leadership earned him the trust of fellow reformers, leading to his selection as the society’s first president.
The Role of the President in the AASS
As president of the American Anti-Slavery Society, Arthur Tappan was responsible for setting the tone and direction of the organization. While Garrison and others provided the fiery rhetoric and ideology, Tappan brought stability, financial backing, and a respected public image. He helped organize campaigns, fund publications, and recruit members.
Challenges of Leadership
Tappan’s presidency was not without its difficulties. The movement itself was often divided between radicals and moderates. While Garrison advocated for not only the abolition of slavery but also women’s rights and a rejection of political institutions, Tappan preferred a more traditional approach. These differences would eventually cause tension within the society. Still, in the early years, Tappan’s leadership helped the organization gain national recognition and expand rapidly.
Achievements Under Tappan’s Presidency
During Arthur Tappan’s time as president, the American Anti-Slavery Society made significant strides in raising public awareness and mobilizing support for abolition. The society distributed thousands of antislavery pamphlets across the country, especially in the North. Lecturers and agents were sent to towns and cities to hold meetings, debates, and lectures that challenged pro-slavery thinking.
Growth and Expansion
Membership in the society grew quickly. By the late 1830s, the organization had more than 250,000 members and hundreds of local chapters. The society played a key role in changing public opinion about slavery, especially among Northerners who had previously accepted slavery as a distant Southern issue. Tappan’s ability to fund operations and his reputation as a respectable Christian businessman helped legitimize the movement.
- Expanded the society’s reach across multiple states
- Supported the publication of The Emancipator, an antislavery newspaper
- Organized petitions to Congress demanding the end of slavery in Washington, D.C.
Internal Divisions and Tappan’s Departure
Despite his early success as president, Arthur Tappan eventually found himself at odds with some members of the society, particularly Garrison and his followers. The division stemmed from differing beliefs about how to approach abolition. Garrison became increasingly radical, advocating for women’s equal participation and the rejection of the U.S. Constitution as a pro-slavery document. Tappan, more conservative in his views, believed that political and religious institutions could be used for reform.
Founding of the American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society
In 1840, the split became official. Arthur Tappan and others broke away to form the American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, which focused more on political activism and less on Garrison’s broader social reform agenda. Though no longer president of the AASS, Tappan continued his abolitionist work, supporting missions, publications, and legal efforts against slavery until his death in 1865.
Legacy of Arthur Tappan
Arthur Tappan’s role as the first president of the American Anti-Slavery Society set the foundation for organized antislavery work in America. His moral conviction, financial contributions, and dedication to justice helped transform the abolition movement from scattered protests to a united national cause. Though his name is less known today than Garrison’s or Frederick Douglass’s, Tappan’s leadership in the society’s formative years was crucial.
Remembering His Contribution
Tappan believed in using privilege for good, leveraging his position not to seek recognition but to serve a cause greater than himself. His quiet strength and unwavering commitment inspired others and gave the abolitionist movement much-needed structure and support during its critical early phase.
- Helped professionalize the abolitionist movement
- Promoted nonviolent and religiously rooted reform
- Played a key role in expanding antislavery awareness nationwide
The president of the first American Anti-Slavery Society was Arthur Tappan, a man whose name deserves more recognition for his contributions to one of the most important human rights struggles in U.S. history. His leadership, vision, and moral courage helped spark a movement that would ultimately reshape the nation. Tappan’s example reminds us that real change requires both passion and organization and that standing up for what is right often begins with quiet, determined action behind the scenes.