Abolitionism was a movement aimed at ending the practice of slavery and promoting the rights of enslaved people. It gained momentum in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in the United States and Britain. Abolitionists believed that slavery was morally wrong and fought for the freedom and equality of all individuals, regardless of race. Key figures in the abolitionist movement included Frederick Douglass, a former enslaved person who became a powerful speaker and writer, and Harriet Tubman, who helped many escape through the Underground Railroad. Their efforts, along with those of many others, ultimately led to the abolition of slavery in various countries, including the passage of the 13th Amendment in the U.S. in 1865.