When did George Washington become an abolitionist?

Washington gradually came to realize that slavery was immoral and contrary to the Revolutionary ideals of liberty and equality. In 1774 he endorsed a document, known as the Fairfax Resolves, which condemned the slave trade as "unnatural" and recommended that no more slaves be imported into the British colonies. read more

Neither Washington, nor Jefferson, nor any of the other better known Founding Fathers could or would agree with the Abolitionist position. Only when a combination of factors came together was the Civil War even possible. read more

1. George Washington first became a slave owner at the early age of eleven. When Washington’s father Augustine died in 1743, George Washington became a slave owner at the early age of eleven. In his will, Augustine left his son the 280 acre family farm near Fredericksburg, Virginia. In addition, Washington was willed ten slaves. read more