Slavery & Abolition The North and South take sides, the life of a slave, and slave uprisings

Abolitionist Speak Out Antislavery societies were flourishing in the North by the 1820’s, and many advocated relocation for blacks in Africa. Many blacks viewed the U.S. as their home though, and only 1,400 actually moved back. The abolitionists teamed up with blacks to protest slavery, and preachers like Charles Grandison Finney labeled slavery as “a great national sin.” William Llyod Garrison was an extreme supporter of abolition, and began his own newspaper known as The Liberator. What was the message of his newspaper, and why was it considered radical? Garrison argued for the immediate emancipation of slaves without payment to slaveholders. Garrison also founded two anti-slavery societies, but his zealous beliefs alienated several whites, even those who supported abolition.

Free Blacks Speak Out David Walker, a free black, was outspoken about his views as to how slavery should be addressed. He believed enslaved blacks needed to fight for freedom, not wait for slave owners to give it to them. Many blacks chose to join anti-slavery societies and to combat the issue politically. Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in 1817 and learned the power of knowledge. He learned how to read and write. After working as a skilled laborer and not receiving his earnings, Douglass escaped to the North. He began his own newspaper, The North Star, and was known for his speeches which captivated audiences.

Life Under Slavery Between 1810 and 1830, the slave population doubled from 1.2 million to 2 million in the South. How had slavery changed since the 1700’s? Early slaves came from different parts of the world, and generally couldn’t communicate with one another due to language differences. Now, many slaves were born in the U.S. and spoke English, and this changed the dynamics. Also, the plantation system had caused large- scale changes in the southern development.

Rural & Urban Slavery Large plantations forced slaves to work from dawn to dusk, and many were beaten if they were not keeping the pace. Some slaves worked side-by-side with their masters on smaller farms. As more whites began farming cotton due to its profitability, their were needs to fulfill jobs in mines and lumbering. This also led to the rise of the skilled black laborer in many urban settings. Ironically, an enslaved black in the South may find more prosperity hiring himself out for skilled jobs, than a free black in the north. Why did this occur?

Nat Turner’s Rebellion Although some enslaved blacks found a niche in the urban setting, many still were beaten, mistreated, and oppressed. This would boil over in Southampton County, VA in Nat Turner was a preacher who believed he had been chosen to lead his people from bondage after having a vision. One summer night he led 80 followers from house to house, slaughtering almost 60 white plantation owners and their families. State and Federal troops hunted down Turner and his followers, and the backlash of this event led to the deaths of over 200 blacks. This also led to the tightening of control over slaves in Southern states.

Slave Owners Defend Slavery Turner’s Rebellion left a lasting impact on the southern slaveholders, and this prompted some discussions on the future of slavery in the South. A motion to abolish slavery in Virginia was soundly defeated though, with a vote, which was heavily weighted by eastern slaveholders over the non-slave holding western farmers of the state. Slave Codes were tightened up by state legislatures, and this banned activities such as preaching, owning a gun, drinking, public assembly, and even learn to read and write, as well as work independently. Slave owners defended slavery through citing the bible, perpetuating “the happy slave” myth, or by shutting up the opposition through political maneuvers such as the gag rule used against campaigns for abolition. This limited the debate on the issue of slavery

The Antebellum South

The Realities of Slavery

Conclusions The Nation was dividing further and further during this time period, and the issue of slavery would lead to the Civil War. Both the North and South squared off politically at this time; abolition vs. pro- slavery. The effects of slavery was beginning to show as slaves became less and less complacent, and rose up for their freedom.

Reminders HW: SpNotes Ch.8.3 Corrected Note Cards need to be in by Friday or you will have NO weekend! New class jobs need to be allotted, and old class job sheets need to be handed in to me before you leave. Have a great day and please leave the room better than you found it!