Historical Aspects of Slavery in America

1. Historical Aspects of Slavery in America

2. Overview • We will briefly cover different aspects of slavery in America in the following areas: • Evolution of slavery • Effect on settlements • Ideological shifts

3. Evolution • Earliest records indicate slavery began in 1619 in the Jamestown colony – tobacco farming • Success of tobacco and new settlements necessitated an increased labor force • Jamestown became a major port in America, making it an early center for the slave trade

5. Evolution • Middle Passage said to be most devastating part of trip • “One day…two of my wearied countrymen who were chained together…jumped into the sea; immediately another followed their example…two of the wretches drowned but the crew got the other and afterwards flogged him unmercifully for thus attempting to prefer death to slavery.” – OlaudahEquiano

6. Evolution • Field Slaves • Worked on plantations • Often worked 6 days a week • Redefined sense of work: time vs. task • 80-90% are field slaves • Susceptible to physical and mental abuse • House Slaves • Performed jobs essential to the upkeep of the homestead • Served as “mammies” to owner’s children • Worked 24/7 • Resented by field slaves for preferential treatment • More susceptible to emotional and sexual abuse due to proximity to owners

7. Evolution • Blending of cultures • Rise of Christianity • Slaves adopt Christianity • Churches were segregated • Promise of freedom and deliverance main appeals • Churches are beginning of abolition movement • Nightlife • White culture: night is for relaxation, socials • Slaves: night is for enjoyment, parties • Time in work, nightlife redefined

8. Evolution • Problems • Different tribes, cultures, languages create conflict • Hierarchy among veterans and those that could speak English • Field vs House • Constitutional ban on the importation of slavery creates more continuity in slave communities – less outsiders

9. Effects on Settlement • Constitution • 3/5 Compromise counts 60% of the slave population for census purposes • Maintaining Balance • As more states were added, Congress kept a balance between slave vs non-slave (free) states • Effect: sectionalism spread and the nation became more divided on slavery • More on economics, less on morality

11. Effects on Settlement • Missouri • 1818: 11 free and 11 slave states with Missouri petitioning to be added • Problem: Not far enough north or south to clearly determine its status for entry • Compromise: • Missouri added as a slave state • Maine created to maintain balance as a free state • Line set at 36 degrees 30’ N latitude as a dividing line – everything north is free, south is slave

12. Effects on Settlement • Wilmot Proviso • Introduced by David Wilmot of Pennsylvania • Proposed to outlaw slavery in all the areas gained in the Mexican-American War (non-Texas areas) • Defeated and never passed • Effect: Further divided Congress and created conflict on admitting states because the southern border was defined a limited

13. Effects on Settlement • Compromise of 1850 • California admitted as a free state • Texas gives up claims to New Mexico • Popular sovereignty suggested for New Mexico and Utah territories when they applied for statehood • New fugitive slave laws • Any runaway slave had to be returned and accomplices were charged as criminals

14. Effects on Settlement • Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 • Sovereignty: authority • Popular Sovereignty: allow the authoritative decision to be made by popular vote • Bill introduced to allow both Kansas and Nebraska to be admitted as states but the issue of popular sovereignty to decide on slavery • Debate over legality (remember 36-30) • Nebraska was assumed to be admitted as a free state

15. Effects on Migration • “Bleeding Kansas” • Missourians and other southerners flood Kansas to tip polls in their favor • Jayhawkers (antislavery) vs Border Ruffians (pro) • Pottawatomie Massacre • Eastern Kansas • John Brown and followers kill 5 proslavery settlers • Violence erupts, over 200 deaths • Both sides claim victory • Kansas admitted as a free state in 1861

16. Ideological Shifts • North • Industry focused • More centers for trade and major ports • Increasing political power • Railroad modernizes travel • South • Agriculturally based • Cotton gin increases production • Landlocked and less travel

17. Ideological Shifts • Nullification Theory • Belief that states should be able to nullify acts of Congress if it impedes their progress • Plan Talk: States should be able to pick and choose which laws to follow • Effects: • South should not follow anything that would damage its economy • Slavery now becomes more of a moral issue

18. Ideological Shifts • Emancipation • Freeing of slaves • Biggest supporters: 1) slaves, 2) whites that had little to no political leverage • Frederick Douglass: escaped slave, incredibly educated, becomes voice of abolition and potential of African Americans • Effect: If no one will do it politically, do it yourself • Underground Railroad: Series of paths, trails, and safehouses to move slaves to the North • “Conductors” – Harriet Tubman, John Parker, John Rankin

19. Ideological Shifts • Dred Scott v. Sandford • Dred Scott, a slave, was taken north of Missouri in 1834. • After four years, Scott and his master return to Missouri, a slave state. • Scott’s master dies and he files a lawsuit on the basis of his freedom being achieved by living in a free territory. • Supreme Court states that Scott is still a slave because he lived in Missouri and slaves aren’t citizens. • Effect: Supreme Court could have overturned slavery but did not

20. Ideological Shifts • Uncle Tom’s Cabin • Published in 1852 by Harriet Beecher Stowe • Written by a white Northerner trying to depict slavery in the South • Produced many false stereotypes of African-Americans • Encouraged northerners to stop slavery • Southerners argued it was a false portrayal • Says Christian love can help end slavery

21. Wrap Up • American slavery is often described as the worst form in the history of the world • Debates over slavery went from economic to moral • Slavery became the main issue in America • 13th amendment will outlaw slavery – passed after Civil War