Slavery in America"[I]t ought to be considered that national crimes can only be and "[I]t ought to be considered that national crimes can only be and

frequently are punished in this world by national punishments; frequently are punished in this world by national punishments; and that the continuance of the slave trade, and thus giving it a and that the continuance of the slave trade, and thus giving it a national sanction and encouragement, ought to be considered as national sanction and encouragement, ought to be considered as justly exposing us to the displeasure and vengeance of Him who justly exposing us to the displeasure and vengeance of Him who is equally Lord of all and who views with equal eye the poor is equally Lord of all and who views with equal eye the poor African slave and his American master."African slave and his American master."

Luther Martin, at the Constitutional Convention, 1787Luther Martin, at the Constitutional Convention, 1787

"We have seen the mere distinction of colour made in the most "We have seen the mere distinction of colour made in the most enlightened period of time, a ground of the most oppressive enlightened period of time, a ground of the most oppressive dominion ever exercised by man over man."dominion ever exercised by man over man."

James Madison, at the Constitutional Convention, James Madison, at the Constitutional Convention, 17871787

Two Kinds of Slavery

ChattelChattel (black)(black)

For life, and for the life For life, and for the life of descendantsof descendants

No rules on treatmentNo rules on treatment Continued to 1860sContinued to 1860s Not for a crimeNot for a crime

No skills or trainingNo skills or training

Indentured Servitude Indentured Servitude (white)(white)

For a period of years For a period of years (not more than 7)(not more than 7)

Rules of treatmentRules of treatment Abolished in 1770sAbolished in 1770s For crimes to repay For crimes to repay

debtsdebts Learned a skill or tradeLearned a skill or trade

OLAUDAH EQUIANO On slave ship travel: “ The closeness of the place, and the heat of

the climate, added to the number in the ship, which was so crowded that each had scarcely room to turn himself, almost suffocated us. This produced copious perspirations, so that the air soon became unfit for respiration, from a variety of loathsome smells, and brought on a sickness among the slaves, of which many died, thus falling victims to the improvident avarice, as I may call it, of their purchasers. This wretched situation was again aggravated by the galling of the chains, now become insupportable; and the filth of the necessary tubs, into which the children often fell, and were almost suffocated. The shrieks of the women, and the groans of the dying, rendered the whole a scene of horror almost inconceivable.”

OLAUDAH EQUIANO On Cruel Treatment: “While I was thus employed by my master I was often a

witness to cruelties of every kind... it was almost a constant practice with our clerks, and other whites, to commit violent depredations on the chastity of the female slaves; and these I was, though with reluctance, obliged to submit to at all times, being unable to help them. When we have had some of these slaves on board my master's vessels to carry them to other islands, or to America, I have known our mates to commit these acts most shamefully, to the disgrace, not of Christians only, but of men. I have even known them gratify their brutal passion with females not ten years old; and these abominations some of them practised to such scandalous excess, that one of our captains discharged the mate and others on that account. And yet in Montserrat I have seen a negro man staked to the ground, and cut most shockingly, and then his ears cut off bit by bit, because he had been connected with a white woman who was a common prostitute: as if it were no crime in the whites to rob an innocent African girl of her virtue; but most heinous in a black man only to gratify a passion of nature, where the temptation was offered by one of a different colour, though the most abandoned woman of her species. Another negro man was half hanged, and then burnt, for attempting to poison a cruel overseer. ”

Founding Fathers Opposed to Slavery

Thomas Jefferson wrote opposition to slave trade into draft Thomas Jefferson wrote opposition to slave trade into draft of Declaration of Independence (removed by the of Declaration of Independence (removed by the Continental Congress)Continental Congress)

Benjamin Rush, Robert Livingston, Ben Franklin and John Benjamin Rush, Robert Livingston, Ben Franklin and John Jay formed or joined antislavery societiesJay formed or joined antislavery societies

George Washington: freed slaves upon his (and Martha's) George Washington: freed slaves upon his (and Martha's) death, called for its gradual abolitiondeath, called for its gradual abolition

Charles Carroll (possibly largest slave-owner): Introduced Charles Carroll (possibly largest slave-owner): Introduced legislation in Maryland Senate to abolish it gradually, and legislation in Maryland Senate to abolish it gradually, and asked "why keep alive the question of slavery? It is admitted asked "why keep alive the question of slavery? It is admitted by all to be a great evil."by all to be a great evil."

… but some other founders did nothing or supported it

Carroll, Madison and Jefferson didn't free their Carroll, Madison and Jefferson didn't free their slavesslaves

Charles Pinkney supported slavery, and lived to Charles Pinkney supported slavery, and lived to support the Missouri compromise to extend slavery.support the Missouri compromise to extend slavery.

1776-1815: Decline of Slavery

Slavery abolished in most Northern states:Slavery abolished in most Northern states: 1777: Vermont territory permanently bans slavery1777: Vermont territory permanently bans slavery 1780: Mass. Constitution bans slavery (by court decision 1780: Mass. Constitution bans slavery (by court decision

after Quock Walker decisions)after Quock Walker decisions) 1780: Pennsylvania (very) gradual emancipation1780: Pennsylvania (very) gradual emancipation 1784: Connecticut gradual emancipation1784: Connecticut gradual emancipation 1784: Rhode Island gradual emancipation1784: Rhode Island gradual emancipation 1799: New York gradual emancipation1799: New York gradual emancipation 1804-1846: New Jersey gradual emancipation1804-1846: New Jersey gradual emancipation New Hampshire: No blacks, virtually no slaves (not New Hampshire: No blacks, virtually no slaves (not

officially abolished until 1857)officially abolished until 1857)

Early Slavery Timeline

1807: British empire abolishes slave trade 1808: U.S. abolishes slave trade (importation of

slaves) 1819: Tallmadge amendment defeated (James

Tallmadge of New York) after passing House in advance of ...

1820: Missouri Compromise 1833: British empire abolishes slavery (except India,

temporarily)

Repatriation to Africa/Liberia

American Colonization SocietyAmerican Colonization Society Founders included Henry Clay, John Randolph Liberia: 1820s Sponsors: James Madison, Monroe, T. Jefferson,

Abraham Lincoln Funded by slave states Virginia and Maryland Several thousand returned and colonized “Liberia”

with its capital “Monrovia,” named after James Monroe

Failed as a move to keep America racially “pure”

Manumission

Freeing slaves by voluntary efforts of slave-owners themselves

Heaviest in border states: Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, etc. as well as Louisiana

Banned in some of the deep South

William Lloyd Garrison

Founded American Anti-Slavery SocietyFounded American Anti-Slavery Society Publication: Publication: The LiberatorThe Liberator, weekly newspaper based in , weekly newspaper based in

Boston from 1833-66Boston from 1833-66

““I am a believer in that portion of the Declaration of American Independence I am a believer in that portion of the Declaration of American Independence in which it is set forth, as among self-evident truths, "that all men are in which it is set forth, as among self-evident truths, "that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Hence, I am an abolitionist.... Convince me that one man may happiness." Hence, I am an abolitionist.... Convince me that one man may rightfully make another man his slave, and I will no longer subscribe to rightfully make another man his slave, and I will no longer subscribe to the Declaration of Independence. Convince me that liberty is not the the Declaration of Independence. Convince me that liberty is not the inalienable birthright of every human being, of whatever complexion or inalienable birthright of every human being, of whatever complexion or clime, and I will give that instrument to the consuming fire. I do not know clime, and I will give that instrument to the consuming fire. I do not know how to espouse freedom and slavery together.”how to espouse freedom and slavery together.”

American Anti-Slavery Society

Split on Garrison's insistence upon a plank for equal rights for women

Gains tremendous female support: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, etc.

Led to Seneca Falls, NY meeting in 1848 for women's rights

Political Parties

Liberty Party 1840-48: sought gradual abolition and dissented from Garrison's abolitionist views

Free Soil Party 1848-54: Sought an end to slavery expansion, but pledged not to disturb slavery where it already existed (Martin van Buren became its presidential candidate in 1848)

Republican Party 1854-present: Continued Free Soil Party platform

Culture of slavery expansion

Slavery never abolished in District of ColumbiaSlavery never abolished in District of Columbia 1836: Congress refuses to consider abolitionist 1836: Congress refuses to consider abolitionist

petitions “Gag rule”petitions “Gag rule” 1830s: States censor abolitionist publications, ban 1830s: States censor abolitionist publications, ban

some outrightsome outright 1830s: Teachers with abolitionist sentiments are 1830s: Teachers with abolitionist sentiments are

gradually let go and forced to move northgradually let go and forced to move north After 1831 Nat Turner rebellion: States After 1831 Nat Turner rebellion: States

progressively ban teaching slaves to readprogressively ban teaching slaves to read

Amistad

Joseph Cinqué rebels against Spanish slave piracy Arrested for murder, acquitted Case taken to the Supreme Court, court rules that

district court was right in saying the men were born free.

North Carolina v. Mann

State case in North Carolina 1830 Woman slave shot by her master for trying to escape

Court rules master has total power over slaves: “The truth is, that we are forbidden to enter upon a train of general

reasoning on the subject. We cannot allow the right of the master to be brought into discussion in the Courts of Justice. The slave, to remain a slave, must be made sensible, that there is no appeal from his master; that his power is in no instance, usurped; but is conferred by the laws of man at least, if not by the law of God. The danger would be great indeed, if the tribunals of justice should be called on to graduate the punishment appropriate to every temper, and every dereliction of menial duty. ”

Underground Railroad

““No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.Service or Labour may be due.

U.S. Constitution, Article 4, Section 2U.S. Constitution, Article 4, Section 2

Question: Does this give the Federal government Question: Does this give the Federal government control over fugitive slave laws?control over fugitive slave laws?

Underground Railroad

Fugitive Slave Law of 1793:Fugitive Slave Law of 1793: “SEC. 3. And be it also enacted, That when a person “SEC. 3. And be it also enacted, That when a person held to labor in any of the United States, or in either of the Territories on the held to labor in any of the United States, or in either of the Territories on the Northwest or South of the river Ohio, under the laws thereof, shall escape into any Northwest or South of the river Ohio, under the laws thereof, shall escape into any other part of the said States or Territory, the person to whom such labor or service other part of the said States or Territory, the person to whom such labor or service may be due, his agent or attorney, is hereby empowered to seize or arrest such may be due, his agent or attorney, is hereby empowered to seize or arrest such fugitive from labor, and to take him or her before any Judge of the Circuit or fugitive from labor, and to take him or her before any Judge of the Circuit or District Courts of the United States, District Courts of the United States, residing or being within the State, or before any residing or being within the State, or before any magistrate of a county, city, or town corporate, wherein such seizure or arrest shall magistrate of a county, city, or town corporate, wherein such seizure or arrest shall be made,be made, and upon proof to the satisfaction of such Judge or magistrate, either by and upon proof to the satisfaction of such Judge or magistrate, either by oral testimony or affidavit taken before and certified by a magistrate of any such oral testimony or affidavit taken before and certified by a magistrate of any such State or Territory, that the person so seized or arrested, doth, under the laws of the State or Territory, that the person so seized or arrested, doth, under the laws of the State or Territory from which he or she fled, owe service or labor to the person State or Territory from which he or she fled, owe service or labor to the person claiming him or her, it shall be the duty of such Judge or magistrate to give a claiming him or her, it shall be the duty of such Judge or magistrate to give a certificate thereof to such claimant, his agent, or attorney, which shall be sufficient certificate thereof to such claimant, his agent, or attorney, which shall be sufficient warrant for removing the said fugitive from labor to the State or Territory from warrant for removing the said fugitive from labor to the State or Territory from which he or she fled.”which he or she fled.”

Prigg v. Pennsylvania

“Master” lets slave move north from Maryland to Pennsylvania, then the master dies. His heirs hire a slave catcher to bring her back to slavery (and also take her children, one of whom was born free in Penn.)

Penn. State law says it's illegal to bring a person to another state to slavery

Court rules that states can't stop slave catchers, but need not help slave trade

Northern states pass “personal liberty laws” (trials for slaves being extradited) and restrictions on state officials helping slave catchers.

Underground Railroad

Northern states gradually began “nullification” of fugitive slave laws

Ultimate destination: Canada, or northern states like Mass. where extradition was virtually impossible.

“Railroad” thrived Used “railroad” terminology, as any criminal

conspiracy would use: stations (safe houses), conductors (smugglers), etc.

Underground Railroad

Famous “Conductors” William Still: Son of escaped slaves, worked for

Penn. Anti-Slavery Society, known as “Father of the Underground Railroad” for helping 649 slaves escape (and keeping diligent records), including his own brother

Harriet Tubman (“Moses”)

Born Araminta Ross but took her mother's name after escaping slavery

Father was freed slave, mother was being held illegally as a slave (both were by contract supposed to be manumitted by 45 yrs. Old.)

Suffered repeated brutality from her own master, as well as serious head injury from another master who threw a metal object at another slave, hitting her in the head.

Harriet Tubman (“Moses”)

Escapes with brothers, 1849, but returned with them voluntarily

Escaped alone weeks later to Philadelphia, changing name and associating with the Underground Railroad.

Returned repeatedly to ferry

Frederick Douglass

Born into slavery in Maryland Beaten by master (but successfully fought back

once, and the beatings stopped) Escaped slavery during third try in 1838, to New

York and Mass.

Compromise of 1850

Missouri Compromise continued New Fugitive Slave Law: Allows Federal

government to collect slaves Made possible by death of anti-slavery President

Zachary Taylor

Compromise of 1850

Key political players: Senator Henry Clay (Kentucky) – favors Senator Daniel Webster (Mass.)– favors (famous

speech) Senator John Calhoun (S.C.) – pro-slavery leader

opposes (though dead before it is approved) Senator Stephen Douglas (Ill.) -- drafted the

document Senator Thomas Hart Benton (Missouri) –

Favored, nearly shot for opposing slavery

Kansas-Nebraska Act – 1854

Authored by Stephen Douglass, Illinois Senator Popular Sovereignty: Allow territories to come in as

free or slave, as they like. Abolish the Missouri compromise rule.

“Bleeding Kansas” “Beecher's Bibles”

Dred Scott v. Sandford 1854 Dred Scott is a Missouri slave, master is in military

and moves to free state of Illinois, then free territory of Wisconsin, then brings him back to Missouri.

Scott sues for his freedom U.S. Supreme Court rules:

He must return to Missouri as a slave He is not a citizen or a “person” in the U.S. and has

no recourse to the courts No black person is a citizen, even if freed Missouri Compromise is unconstitutional Northwest Ordinance is unconstitutional

Cane Fight in Senate (1856)

Senator Andrew Pickens ButlerSenator Andrew Pickens Butler Rep. Preston Brooks (Butler's cousin)Rep. Preston Brooks (Butler's cousin) Charles Sumner: Mocks pro-slavery ButlerCharles Sumner: Mocks pro-slavery Butler

““With incoherent phrases discharged the loose With incoherent phrases discharged the loose expectoration of his speech"expectoration of his speech"

Ableman v. Booth Missouri slave Joshua Glover escapes to Wisconsin. Slave owner tracks him down and has federal Marshal

Steven Ableman arrest him and lock him in county jail. Abolitionist Sherman Booth runs around the town rallying

abolitionists (also uses his newspaper), who then break into the jail and free the slave (who escapes to Canada).

U.S. Marshal arrests him for violating Fugitive Slave Act (part of Compromise of 1850)

Wisconsin Supreme Court nullifies Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

U.S. Supreme Court overturns Wisconsin decision Wisconsin nullifies U.S. Supreme Court decision, refuses to

recognize it (even to this day)

Republican Party

Formed 1852, replaces Free Soil Party Republicans adopt Whig financial platform: for

protection, internal improvements 1856: John Fremont runs for President 1860: Republicans take over Congress, win

Presidency with Abraham Lincoln

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Harper's Ferry

John Brown's raid – 1859 Maryland-Virginia border Response from Virginia, Maryland Militia and

Federal Army – Commander Robert E. Lee