African Americans 2!!

1. African Americans 2!!

2. A new Cash Crop Arises…COTTON • Cotton was an ideal crop for the south but the seeds in it were so hard to remove that it took an entire day to get 1 pound of cotton. • In 1793 Eli Whitney made the cotton gin which made it possible to clean more than 50 pounds of cotton a day. This made the want for slave labor to increase exponentially. • Due to Cotton growing rapidly depleting the soil, southern farmers rushed to the black belt (an area stretching from western Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi which had fertile soil.) On the frontier African Americans cleared the forests, drained the swamps, broke the ground, built houses and barns and planted the first crops. • 55% of all slaves engaged in cotton growing. 20% were in other crops such as tobacco, hemp, indigo, and rice.15% were domestic servants and the remaining 10% were in mining, lumbering, industry and construction. • Because of the growing cotton industry the south was using more slaves to cultivate the crops.

3. The Internal Slave Trade • After a slave revolt in Haiti in 1791, all southern states banned the importation of foreign slaves because they feared the Caribbean revolutionaries might incite their own slaves to rebel. Attitudes changed again because of the cotton gin. South Carolina reopened the trade in 1804. On January 1st, 1808 the earliest date permitted by the constitution to abolish the importation of slaves became law. Now that the international slave trade was illegal the internal slave trade increased vastly. • Slaves were gathered together in slave pens and moved south by train or boat. In the interior they were carried as cargo on steamboats on the Mississippi river, hence the phrase “sold down the river.” Often slaves moved on foot, chained together in groups of fifty or more known as coffles. The slaves after being inspected by potential buyers were sold at auction to the highest bidder. • The slave populace was around 700,000 by 1790, it grew to 4 million. After 1808 the growth occurred because of natural increase. In spite of the burden of slavery, a distinctive Africa American community, which had first emerged in the 18th century. Flourished in the years before the civil war.

4. Internal Slave Trade continued… • The primary challenge for African Americans was survival. The very young were at the most risk (the mortality rate for slave children under 5 was twice those for white counterparts.) the reason: pregnant black women were inadequately nourished, worked too hard, or were too frequently pregnant, giving birth to 6 to 8 children at year and one half intervals. • Life expectancy for most African Americans was 30-33. Diseases spread and most sicknesses were chronic. Their lives consisted of poor housing, poor diet, and constant usually heavy work. Slavery was a lifelong labor system. • Being a house servant was less physically demanding and the slaves were better fed and clothed. During the civil war the house slaves were the first to flee. This was surprising since they had the easier life but being around the constant presence of white people was torturous enough. 75% of slaves were field workers (they worked from sun up to sun down.) • The connection between southern slavery and northern industry was very direct. Most mercantile systems service associated with the cotton trade were in northern hands. Northerners were caught up in the rapid industrialization and urbanization, failed to recognize their economic connection to the south and increasingly regarded them as backwards.

5. Urban Life • By the 1860’s nearly half a million free African Americans lived in the United States which was 11% of the nations total black population. More than half of these freed slaves lived in the north, mostly in cities, where they competed for jobs. • Free African Americans in the north faced residential segregation, pervasive job discrimination, segregated public schools, and severe limitations on their civil rights. • African Americans of all economic classes endured daily attacks, such as exclusion from public concerts, lectures, libraries, and segregation or exclusion from public transportation. • In defense to hostile society African Americans built their own community structure. They formed associations for aiding the poorest members of the community, for self improvement, and for socializing. Tired of being criticized by White newspapers, African Americans started their own newspaper which was founded by John Russwurm and Samuel Cornish.

6. Urban Life continued… • The Black Baptist or African Methodist Episcopal church was formed and was used as a place of worship, a social and cultural center, political meeting place, hiding place for fugitive slaves, training ground for potential community leaders, and a place were they could express their true feelings. • Employment deteriorated from 1820-1850. African Americans who held jobs were forced from their positions. Now limited to day labor, they had to compete with new immigrants. One major job left was being a sailor. 20% of all US sailors were black. • 4 African American riots occurred in 1801, 1819, 1826, and 1832 against slave catchers. An 1829 riot in Cincinnati set over 1000 African American people fleeing to Canada. A 3 day riot in providence in 1831 destroyed a African American district and a New York riot in 1834 destroyed a church, school, and a dozen homes. Philadelphia “the city of brotherly love.” Was home to the largest African American community in the north which was repeatedly rocked by anti-black riots from 1820-1859. A riot in 1834 destroyed 2 churches, 31 homes, left one African American dead and many injured. In 1842 mob which was predominantly Irish attacked black marchers celebrating Jamaican Emancipation Day. Urban riots had cost 125 lives by 1840 and by 1860 more than 1000.

7. Antislavery movements • African Americans, Quakers, and militant whites worked together to end slavery. The first attempt to solve the slave problem was made by the American Colonization Society which was made in 1817 and was predominantly Quakers. The north was eager to send 250,000 free blacks back to Africa. By 1830 it managed to send 1400 black people to Liberia. Critics pointed out that more slaves were born in a week than the society sent to Africa in a year. • William Lloyd Garrison was one of the major abolitionist leaders along with Frederick Douglass. Garrison’s approach declared slavery as sinful and that it should be abolished immediately. His aggressive movement against slavery radicalized antislavery religious groups. • The gag rule was instated in response to Antislavery petitions by president Andrew Jackson. Uncle Tom’s Cabin- Most successful novel in the nineteenth century about a Christ like slave, Uncle Tom, who endured the cruel treatment by his white master. This novel was written by Harriet Beecher. • The strongest social critique however was Frederick Douglass’s simple autobiography, “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.” This told the story of his brutal life as a slave.

8. Compromises, Laws, and actions • The Missouri Compromise- Admits Missouri to the Union as a slave state and Maine as a free state prohibits slavery in the rest of the Louisiana territory. • The Compromise of 1850- Admits California as a free state to the union, settles the borders of Texas (slave state) sets no conditions concerning slavery for the rest of the territory acquired from Mexico. • The Fugitive Slave Act- it was enacted in 1850 and it dramatically increased the power of slave owners to capture escaped slaves. • The Kansas-Nebraska Act- Congress opens Kansas and Nebraska territories for settlement under popular sovereignty. Open warfare between proslavery and antislavery factions break out in Kansas.

9. Compromises, Laws, and Actions continued… • Dred Scott decision-Dred Scott moved with his owner to Wisconsin which was a free state, but his owner died soon after moving so Scott though he was free. He got married and had children but a couple years later his previous owner’s wife said that he still belonged to her. So the case was presented to the Supreme Court to resolve the issue. The Supreme Court decided that slaves did not have the right to sue, that all African Americans (free and slave) could not become citizens and that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional. • John Browns Raid- John Brown was a crazy man who thought god told him that he was going to be the end to slavery. So in 1856 he slaughtered unarmed proslavery men in Kansas.

10. During and after the Civil War • The capture of port royal- it was captured in the South Carolina Sea Islands in 1861. White southerners fled at the Union advance, but 10,000 slaves greeted the troops with celebration. • The Emancipation Proclamation- On January 1, 1863, Lincoln issued the final emancipation proclamation. The proclamation freed the slaves in the areas of rebellion (the areas the union didn’t control) but specifically exempted slaves in the Border States and in former confederate areas conquered by the union. • As part of the emancipation Lincoln gave his support to the recruitment of black soldiers. • The 13th amendment was pronounced in January 1865 which prohibited slavery in the United States. • The Ku Klux Klan fought an ongoing terrorist campaign against reconstruction governments and local leaders from 1870-1872

11. Famous people to know • Harriet Tubman- famous conductor of the Underground Railroad • Frederick Douglass- fearless leader of the abolitionist movement • William Lloyd Garrison- one of the main leaders behind the abolitionist movement • John Russwurm- started the first black newspaper • Harriet Beecher- Wrote Uncle Toms Cabin which turned out to be the most successful novel in the mid nineteenth century. • Dred Scott- slave who went to the Supreme Court to fight for his freedom

12. Important terms to know • Coffles- slaves that were chained together around 50 or more • Cotton gin- machine invented by Eli Whitney which revolutionized cotton production and increased the demand for slaves. • The Black Belt- an area stretching from western Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi that had fertile soil. • Internal slave trade- the slave trade established within the United States which traded slaves throughout regions in a similar manner to the international slave trade. • House Servant- Slaves who worked within the house • Gag rule- law instated by Andrew Jackson which prohibited any discussion of antislavery petitions. • Segregation- the separation or isolation of a race, class, or ethnic group by enforced or voluntary residence in a restricted area

13. Important terms continued • American Colonization society- Group of people who tried to figure out ways to get rid of slavery. • Amistad- Spanish slave ship which was mutinied upon and ended up in American territory; there was a huge court case over what should happen with the slaves. • Slave catchers- People who were hired to catch runaway slaves • Ku Klux Klan- Group organized to enforce white supremacy • Uncle Tom’s Cabin-Famous Novel which sparked tons of debate about slavery • Fugitive slave act- Act enacted to make it easier for slave owners to catch runaway slaves.

14. Important terms continued… • Emancipation Proclamation- Proclamation made by Lincoln to remove slavery in certain areas that the union army has conquered from the south • Missouri Compromise- Missouri was admitted as a slave state but slavery was prohibited in the Louisiana Purchase.

15. Multiple Choice Questions • 1.) Who invented the cotton gin? • a.) George Washington • b.) Eli Whitney • c.) Thomas Jefferson • d.) Frederick Douglass • 2.) What date was slavery outlawed in Britain? • a.) 1800 • b.) 1805 • c.) 1775 • d.) 1807 • 3.) When did the United States outlaw slavery? • a.) 1807 • b.) 1850 • c.) 1808 • d.) 1806 • 4.) Who was a famous African American conductor of the Underground Railroad? • a.) Benjamin Banneker • b.) Harriet Tubman • c.) Martin Luther King Jr. • d.) Phillis Wheatley

16. Mc continued.. • 5.) Who was a renowned African American leader of the abolitionist cause? • a.) Frederick Douglass • b.) Robert E. Lee • c.) Thomas Jefferson • d.) Aphra Behn • 6.) What was the average life expectancy of African American slaves? • a.) 50+ • b.) 10-15 • c.) 41-45 • d.) 30-33 • 7.) What was the cause of the African American population boom after 1808? • a.) importation • b.) natural increase • c.) higher life expectancies • d.) there was no population increase… • 8.) What 2 states refused to ban the slave trade or heavily tax it? • a.) New York and New Jersey • b.) North Carolina and Delaware • c.) South Carolina and Georgia • d.) South Carolina and Wisconsin

17. Mc continued.. 9.) What percent of all slaves engaged in cotton growing? • a.) 20% • b.) 10% • c.) 55% • d.) 30% • 10.) The mortality rates for slave children under 5 were twice that of white children because… • a.) their pregnant mothers were inadequately nourished, worked to hard, or were too often pregnant • b.) their pregnant mothers worked to hard • c.) their pregnant mothers were too often pregnant • d.) all of the above • 11.) What percent of the populace did free slaves count towards in 1860? • a.) 50% • b.) 11% • c.) 25% • d.)30% • 12.) Which city was known as “the city of brotherly love?” • a.) Charlestown • b.) Boston • c.) Massachusetts • d.) Philadelphia

18. Mc continued.. • 13.) When employment for African Americans was deteriorating what job was still openly available? • a.) artisan • b.) army • c.) sailor • d.) farmer • 14.) Who started the first African American newspaper? • a.) Benjamin Banneker • b.) John Russwurm • c.) Frederick Douglass • d.) Phillis Wheatley • 15.) Who was a renowned African American leader of the abolitionist cause? • a.) Frederick Douglass • b.) William Lloyd Garrison • c.) Thomas Jefferson • d.) Aphra Behn • 16.) Who was the renowned white leader of the abolitionist cause? • a.) John Quincy Adams • b.) Henry Clay • c.) Andrew Jackson • d.) William Lloyd Garrison

19. Mc continued.. • 17.) Which president instated the Gag Law? • a.) John Quincy Adams • b.) Andrew Jackson • c.) James Monroe • d.) Thomas Jefferson • 18.) What was the name of the Spanish slave ship which was mutinied upon and ended up turning into a huge court case in the United States? • a.) Servile • b.) Pizarro • c.) Amistad • d.) Trevino • 19.) A riot on what date in Cincinnati sent over 1000 African Americans fleeing to Canada? • a.) 1834 • b.) 1831 • c.) 1829 • d.) 1820 • 20.) How many African Americans did the American colonization society manage to send back to Africa? • a.) 100,000 • b.) 5,000 • c.) 25,000 • d.) 1400

20. Mc continued.. • 21. When was the Missouri compromise instated? • a.) 1827 • b.) 1820 • c.) 1835 • d.)1811 • 22.) Who wrote “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” • a.) Frederick Douglass • b.) Nathaniel Hawthorne • c.) Herman Melville • d.) Harriet Beecher • 23.) What did the fugitive slave act accomplish? • a.) it improved the chances for fugitive slaves to get to freedom • b.) it sentenced all fugitive slaves to death • c.) It made it easier for slave owners to catch runaway slaves • d.) there was no fugitive slave act • 24.) What was the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Dred Scott decision? • a.) slaves cannot sue • b.) all of the above • c.) African Americans cannot become citizens • d.) the Missouri compromise was unconstitutional

21. Mc continued.. • 25.) What happened after the capture of Port Royal? • a.) 10,000 slaves celebrated the union troop’s victory • b.) the union retreated because they could not hold the port • c.) the south were able to repulse the union attack • d.) none of the above • 26.) What did the compromise of 1850 do? • a.) it split Kansas and Nebraska • b.) it added Florida as a free state • c.) it added all of Texas to the union • d.) it added California as a free state to the union • 27.) Which president made the emancipation proclamation? • a.) John Quincy Adams • b.) Abraham Lincoln • c.) John Tyler • d.) James K. Polk •  28.) What does the 13th amendment declare? • a.) the right to bear arms • b.) freedom of speech • c.) slavery was prohibited in the United States • d.) slaves were considered ¾ of a person

22. Mc continued.. • 29.) The Ku Klux Klan was a group that… • a.) helped orphanages and raised money for the reconstruction effort • b.) were a lot like the Society of Friends and loved everyone • c.) white supremacy group who were having a terrorist campaign throughout the reconstruction process • d.) Group of radicals who hated republicans • 30.) the strongest social critique written in the mid nineteenth century was? • a.) Uncle Tom’s cabin • b.) the Scarlet Letter • c.) Moby Dick • d.) Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass

23. Multiple choice answer key • 1. (B) 2. (D) 3. (C) 4. (B) 5. (A) 6. (D) 7. (B) 8. (C) 9. (C) 10. (D) • 11. (B) 12. (D) 13. (C) 14. (B) 15. (A) 16. (D) 17. (B) 18. (C) 19. (C) • 20. (D) 21. (B) 22. (D) 23. (C) 24. (B) 25. (A) 26. (D) 27. (B) 28. (C) 29. (C) 10. (D)

24. References John Mack Faragher, Mari Jo Buhle, Daniel Citrom, Susan H. Armitage. (2002) Out of Many a History of the American People. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall