What evidence is there that America made progress, or failed to make progress, toward achieving equality from 1789-1850?

The early nineteenth century saw a rise in the number of abolitionists who campaigned for the end of slavery and the repatriation of slaves to Africa. Their efforts, however, met with resistance from congress.

The establishment of the American Colonization Society by Robert Finley in 1816 was an example of this progress.

Explanation:

Even though not much was accomplished with the abolitionists' movement that saw an increase within this period, the efforts of the anti-slavery activists watered the ground that would soon lead to the emancipation of slaves. Between 1816 to 1840, a lot of slaves were repatriated to the colony of Liberia in Africa under the leadership of people like Robert Finley, Henry Clay, and James Monroe.

Frederick Douglass was also an African-American who actively campaigned for the freedom of slaves. Congress however resisted the movement and a demonstration of this was the passing of the Gag rule which allowed no discussions of slavery on the floor of congress. Several abolitionists like Elijah Lovejoy were also killed.