The abolitionist movement was a social and political campaign aimed at ending slavery and promoting the rights of enslaved people. It gained momentum in the early 19th century, particularly in the United States and Britain, where activists worked to raise awareness about the inhumanity of slavery. Key figures included Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and William Lloyd Garrison, who used speeches, writings, and underground networks to advocate for freedom. Abolitionists employed various strategies, including petitions, public lectures, and the publication of anti-slavery literature. The movement ultimately contributed to significant legal changes, such as the Emancipation Proclamation in the U.S. and the Slavery Abolition Act in Britain, which helped to dismantle the institution of slavery.