Anti-slavery catechism

Name: Anti-slavery catechism
Author: Lydia Maria Child

By Lydia Maria Child

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About This Book

Presented as a series of questions and answers, the text argues for immediate abolition on moral, religious, and civic grounds while rebutting common defenses of slavery. It outlines the material and legal harms of the system, describing coerced labor, meager sustenance, corporal punishment, and laws that deny enslaved people legal standing or protection. The author cites court practices and local customs that prioritize owners’ property claims over human welfare, documents organized pursuits of runaways and the use of tracking dogs, and explains practical and statutory obstacles to emancipation, urging readers to recognize the injustice and act on conscience.

About the Author

Lydia Maria Child

Lydia Maria Child (1802-1880) was an American abolitionist, women's rights activist, and author known for her influential writings on social reform. She gained prominence with her book "An Appeal in Favor of that Class of Americans Called Africans," which argued for the rights and dignity of African Americans. Child also contributed significantly to literature with works such as "The American Frugal Housewife," which provided practical advice for women. Her literary output included novels, essays, and children's books, reflecting her commitment to social justice and the improvement of women's status in society. Child's legacy continues to resonate in discussions of equality and human rights.