Many white abolitionists wanted to end slavery gradually-slowly over time, but not right away. Which of the following laws is an example of gradual abolition? a law making it illegal to punish enslaved people by beating them a law setting all enslaved people free immediately a law making slavery permanently legal in some states but not in others a law setting enslaved people free after they turned 21 Submit

A law setting enslaved people free after they turned 21 is a prime example of gradual abolition. This approach aimed to gradually decrease the number of enslaved individuals over time, rather than freeing them all at once, allowing society to adjust and compensate for the economic impacts of such a significant change. In historical context, gradual abolition laws were often seen as a compromise that aimed to appease both abolitionists and those who supported slavery. While these laws were intended to move towards freedom, they often perpetuated the institution of slavery longer than many true abolitionists desired, leading to debates that still resonate today about the methods and timeline of achieving social justice.