Abolition
From dKosopedia
Prior to the U.S. Civil War the Abolition movement (to end slavery) was one most important political movements in the United States. Religious groups such as the Quakers were important in pushing for abolition, and some groups such as the Baptist and Preysbeterians were pushed to schism over the issue, with Southern branches of the Baptist and Presybertian denominations supporting slavery, and predominantly Northern branches joining the abolition movement or taking a neutral stance.
Numerous passages in the Bible, both from the Old Testament and the New Testament, were an important part of the defense of slavery. Other ethics from the Christian movement were advanced to oppose slavery.
Many Southern denominations did not disavow their racist and pro-slavery stances until after the U.S. Civil Rights movement a century after the Civil War ended.