African Americans in the New Nation 1783–1820

Slave quarters on Boone Hall Plantation, South Carolina This recent photograph portrays one of several buildings used as slave quarters on Boone Hall Plantation, South Carolina. Built during the mid-seventeenth century, the small brick building housed two African-American families into the Civil War years.

Thousands of African Americans won their own freedom by escaping to the North before the Civil War.

Forces for Freedom In postrevolutionary North, slavery not economically essential Immigration bought cheap, white laborers Natural rights doctrines, religious morality flourished

Northern Emancipation New England states moved quickly to emancipation African refused to stay in servitude, whites acquiesced Struggle against slavery harder in middle states Massachusetts had “free and equal” clause in constitution Black men had right to vote Other middle states’ legislatures took initiative against slavery Emancipation slow in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania

Antislavery Societies in the North and Upper South Only whites participated in Quaker-dominated organizations Abolitionists feared immediate emancipation Elderly slaves would be abandoned Slaves would require training before freedom Many slaveholders opposed slavery in abstract, not practice Antislavery societies in Upper South small, short lived

The U.S. Constitution Constitution major force in favor of continued slavery Constitution prevented abolishment of slavery until 1808 Gave masters power to pursue escaped slaves Southern slaveholders given more representation Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 An act of Congress permitting masters to recapture escaped slaves who had reached the free states and, with the authorization of local courts, return with the slave or slaves to their home state

The U.S. Constitution (cont'd) Three-Fifths Clause A clause in the U.S. Constitution providing that a slave be counted as three-fifths of a free person in determining a state’s representation in Congress and the electoral college and three-fifths of a free person in regard to per capita taxes levied by Congress on the states

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNnXj5NSR64&feature=related Let’s listen to the struggle over slavery and the creation of the Constitution along with Ben Franklin’s personal struggle with this peculiar institution

Conservatism and Racism Increasing proslavery sentiment among white Americans Response to radicalism of French Revolution American valued property rights, including human property Race used to justify slavery Laws implied blacks only place was as slaves

The First Black Schools Blacks found own schools Schools faced great difficulties Blacks couldn’t afford fees Some blacks thought education pointless Whites feared educated blacks would encourage slave revolt Threats of violence against black schools common

This lithograph, c. 1887, portrays the New York African Free School, No. 2 This lithograph, c. 1887, portrays the New York African Free School, No. 2. The New York Manumission Society established the original school in 1787, at 137 Mulberry Street in New York City. Men who later became prominent black abolitionists, such as Henry Highland Garnet and James McCune Smith, attended the school during the 1820s.

Slave Uprisings Some slaves joined revolutionary movements to destroy slavery Louverture led Haitian uprising, inspired African Americans In Virginia, Gabriel prepared massive slave insurrection Gabriel caught before uprising, convicted and hanged

Toussaint Louverture (1744–1803) Toussaint Louverture (1744–1803) led the black rebellion in the French colony of St. Domingue on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola that led to the creation of the independent black republic of Haiti in 1804. Louverture became an inspiration for black rebels in the United States.

The White Southern Reaction Fearing race war, whites make black bondage stronger Southern states outlaw assemblies, increase patrols Whites assume local free blacks involved in uprisings Whites advocate forcing blacks to leave U.S.

Question How was the U.S. Constitution, as it was drafted in 1781, proslavery? How was it antislavery?