At the founding, America was a slave society. And this society became divided at the birth of Abolitionist Movement.
While abolitionists shared a common goal, they came from diverse backgrounds and favored a variety of tactics. It is not surprising, therefore, that divisions appeared within the antislavery movement.
One of the first splits occurred over women's participation in the American Anti-Slavery Society. At the time, Americans in general did not approve of women's involvement in political gatherings. When Garrison insisted that female abolitionists be allowed to speak at antislavery meetings, some members resigned in protest.
Racial tensions further divided the movement. For African Americans, the movement to end slavery had a personal dimension and an urgency that many white people could never fully understand. In addition, some black reformers felt that white abolitionists regarded them as inferior.
Today, we hear about how society is splitting apart -- a polarized Congress, a fragmented media market, a persistent schism among Americans over social issues.
But really, how bad are the divisions? They're pretty bad, according to the results of The Atlantic/Aspen Institute American Values Survey.
Here's the visual summary of the findings of the poll, featured on TheAtlantic.com.