Why did many antislavery societies focus on gradual emancipation rather than immediate emancipation?

Many antislavery societies advocated for gradual emancipation rather than immediate emancipation because they believed it would be more politically feasible and socially acceptable to the broader public, particularly in the Northern states where economic ties to slavery were weaker. Gradual emancipation allowed for a structured transition, providing time for slaveholders to adjust and for freed individuals to integrate into society. Additionally, proponents thought that a gradual approach would mitigate potential backlash and violence from pro-slavery factions, promoting a more peaceful path toward ending slavery.