chapter 5

Chapter 5Chapter 5

African Americans in the African Americans in the Nation: 1783-1820Nation: 1783-1820

Section 1Section 1Forces for FreedomForces for Freedom

Slavery Begins to UnfoldSlavery Begins to Unfold– North and Chesapeake favored North and Chesapeake favored

emancipation after the War for emancipation after the War for Independence ended.Independence ended.

– The transatlantic immigration brings a The transatlantic immigration brings a lot of white laborers to the Northlot of white laborers to the North The white laborers work very cheaply.The white laborers work very cheaply. This makes African slaves not as essential as This makes African slaves not as essential as

before.before.


Northern EmancipationNorthern Emancipation– New England states such as Vermont, New England states such as Vermont,

Massachusetts, and New Hampshire Massachusetts, and New Hampshire abolished slavery during the 1770s and abolished slavery during the 1770s and 1780s.1780s. Black men in the Massachusetts gain the Black men in the Massachusetts gain the

right to vote before 1790right to vote before 1790– Paul and John Cuffe (1783)Paul and John Cuffe (1783)


Northern EmancipationNorthern Emancipation– Connecticut and Rhode Island adopted Connecticut and Rhode Island adopted

gradual abolition plans.gradual abolition plans. In Connecticut the state proposed that all In Connecticut the state proposed that all

children born to enslaved mother after children born to enslaved mother after March 1, 1784 would become free after their March 1, 1784 would become free after their twenty-five birthday.twenty-five birthday.

In Rhode Island the state proposed that all In Rhode Island the state proposed that all children born to enslaved mother after children born to enslaved mother after March 1, 1784 would become free at birth.March 1, 1784 would become free at birth.


Mid-Atlantic States (PA, NJ, NY)Mid-Atlantic States (PA, NJ, NY)– These states had more investment in slaves than These states had more investment in slaves than

the New England states.the New England states. More reluctant to abolish slaveryMore reluctant to abolish slavery

– Pennsylvania voted that children of enslaved Pennsylvania voted that children of enslaved mothers would become free at twenty-eight in mothers would become free at twenty-eight in 1780.1780.

– In 1799, New York agreed male slaves born after In 1799, New York agreed male slaves born after July 4 of that year would become free at twenty-July 4 of that year would become free at twenty-eight.eight. For females the age was For females the age was

– In New Jersey agreed that males slaves born after In New Jersey agreed that males slaves born after July 4, 1804 would become free at age twenty-fiveJuly 4, 1804 would become free at age twenty-five For females the age was twenty-oneFor females the age was twenty-one


The Northwest Ordinance of 1787The Northwest Ordinance of 1787– Articles of Confederation was were Congress Articles of Confederation was were Congress

drew its authority.drew its authority.– Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson

1.1. Western region be divided into separate territoriesWestern region be divided into separate territories2.2. Slavery banned after 1800 from the Appalachians Slavery banned after 1800 from the Appalachians

to the Mississippi River and from Spanish Floridato the Mississippi River and from Spanish Florida– In 1787 Congress adopted the Northwest In 1787 Congress adopted the Northwest

Ordinance Ordinance This provided orderly sale of land , support for This provided orderly sale of land , support for

public education, territorial government, and public education, territorial government, and eventual formation of new states.eventual formation of new states.– Unlike Jefferson proposal slavery was banned Unlike Jefferson proposal slavery was banned

immediately in the area.immediately in the area.

Section 1 Section 1 Forces of FreedomForces of Freedom

Antislavery Societies in the North and the Antislavery Societies in the North and the Upper SouthUpper South– Anthony Benezet organized the first antislavery Anthony Benezet organized the first antislavery

society in 1775.society in 1775. Later became known as the Pennsylvania Society for Later became known as the Pennsylvania Society for

Promoting the Abolition of Slavery (1787)Promoting the Abolition of Slavery (1787)– Benjamin Franklin became its presidentBenjamin Franklin became its president

- Antislavery societies aimed at gradual - Antislavery societies aimed at gradual compensated emancipation for states such as compensated emancipation for states such as Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. White abolitionists were reluctant to challenge the White abolitionists were reluctant to challenge the

property right of slaves owners.property right of slaves owners. Also they feared that freed elderly slaves would need Also they feared that freed elderly slaves would need

long training before they could be free.long training before they could be free.


Manumission and Self-PurchaseManumission and Self-Purchase– Manumission laws were liberalized in most Manumission laws were liberalized in most

southern states after the Revolution.southern states after the Revolution. Masters could free individual slaves by deed or will.Masters could free individual slaves by deed or will.

– Before masters would have to go to court to prove that Before masters would have to go to court to prove that a slaves desired to be freeda slaves desired to be freed

– Other slaves bought their freedom through Other slaves bought their freedom through self-purchase contractsself-purchase contracts Masters enjoyed this because they were receiving in Masters enjoyed this because they were receiving in

return for their lost of laborers.return for their lost of laborers.– Self purchase could leave slaves in “financial slavery” Self purchase could leave slaves in “financial slavery”

Section 1Section 1Forces for SlaveryForces for Slavery

The Emergence of A Free Black Class The Emergence of A Free Black Class in the Southin the South– The number of free blacks in the Upper The number of free blacks in the Upper

South blossomed from 1790 to 1820.South blossomed from 1790 to 1820. Maryland went from 8,043 free blacks to Maryland went from 8,043 free blacks to

39,730 free blacks39,730 free blacks Virginia went from 12,766 free blacks to Virginia went from 12,766 free blacks to

36,889 free blacks36,889 free blacks– Still most of the Upper South black population Still most of the Upper South black population

remained enslaved remained enslaved Only 10.6% of blacks were free in the Upper Only 10.6% of blacks were free in the Upper

South in 1820.South in 1820.

Key Terms for Section 1Key Terms for Section 1 Emancipation- The freeing of enslaved Emancipation- The freeing of enslaved

African Americans.African Americans. Transatlantic immigration- The immigration Transatlantic immigration- The immigration

of white laborers from Europe to America.of white laborers from Europe to America. Articles of Confederation- The constitution Articles of Confederation- The constitution

from which the Congress derived its from which the Congress derived its authority between 1781 and 1789. authority between 1781 and 1789.

Northwest Ordinance- Ordinance that Northwest Ordinance- Ordinance that provided for the formation of new states in provided for the formation of new states in the Old Northwest and banning of slavery the Old Northwest and banning of slavery in that region.in that region.

Key Terms for Section 1Key Terms for Section 1

Abolitionist- An advocate of the abolition Abolitionist- An advocate of the abolition of slavery.of slavery.

Antislavery societies- Societies formed Antislavery societies- Societies formed under Quaker leadership to promote the under Quaker leadership to promote the abolition of slavery.abolition of slavery.

Compensated emancipation- Compensated emancipation- Emancipation accompanied by the Emancipation accompanied by the monetary compensation of former slave monetary compensation of former slave owners.owners.

Manumission- The legal freeing of a slave. Manumission- The legal freeing of a slave.

chapter 5

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