Abolitionism is a social and political movement aimed at ending slavery and promoting the rights of enslaved individuals. It gained momentum in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in Europe and North America. Abolitionists worked to raise awareness about the inhumane conditions of slavery and advocated for the emancipation of enslaved people. 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. The movement ultimately contributed to significant legal changes, including the 13th Amendment in the United States, which abolished slavery.