The History of Slavery In America (FULL)

Summary

This script provides a detailed overview of the history of slavery in America, beginning in the 17th century with the forced transportation of Africans. It explores the brutal conditions slaves endured, the resistance and resilience they displayed through rebellions, covert acts, and cultural preservation. Key figures like Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass played crucial roles in leading the fight for freedom. The script also highlights abolitionist efforts, the Civil War's impact, and the long struggle for African Americans' rights, culminating in the Reconstruction era and the ongoing fight against racism.

Takeaways

• 🔗 Slavery has existed worldwide for thousands of years, and in America, it began in the 17th century, largely involving Africans taken from their homes.
• ⚔️ There were battles and resistance against European enslavers in Africa, but tribes were coerced into capturing each other using the threat of advanced weapons.
• 🚶 The enslaved Africans endured long, brutal marches of up to 600 miles to reach the coast, with many dying along the way.
• 🚢 The Middle Passage was a harrowing journey across the Atlantic, where enslaved men, women, and children were packed tightly in ships, leading many to despair or commit suicide.
• 🏞️ The first African slaves arrived in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619, and by 1763, the number of slaves in the American colonies reached about 230,000, mostly concentrated in the southern states.
• 🔒 Slaves were denied basic rights, such as wages, property ownership, and even the right to marry or learn to read and write, and were subject to harsh physical punishment.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Despite the inhumane conditions, slave families, culture, religion, and folklore developed independently, giving them strength and solidarity.
• 🤝 The Underground Railroad was a secret network of people, including Harriet Tubman, who helped enslaved people escape to the North or Canada, often risking their lives.
• ⚖️ Abolitionists like Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, and William Lloyd Garrison worked tirelessly to end slavery, advocating for racial equality and freedom.
• 📝 The Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, followed by the Civil War and the 13th Amendment, legally abolished slavery in the U.S., but racial discrimination and systemic challenges persisted.

Q & A

What was the origin of slavery in America?

Slavery in America began in the 17th century when Africans were captured, overpowered, and forced to leave their native land, culture, and families behind.

How did Europeans acquire slaves in Africa?

Europeans often coerced one African tribe to enslave another, threatening to arm their enemies with weapons if they didn’t cooperate. African captives were then chained and marched up to 600 miles to the coast, where they were loaded onto European ships.

What were conditions like for slaves during the Atlantic crossing?

The Atlantic crossing, which took four to eight weeks, was brutal. Men, women, and children were tightly packed into overcrowded quarters. Many sank into depression, and some chose death by drowning to escape the degradation.

Who were the first slaves in the American colonies?

The first slaves arrived in the American colonies in 1619 when about 20 Africans were brought to Jamestown, Virginia. The enslaved population continued to grow each year.

What role did the cotton gin play in the expansion of slavery in the United States?

The cotton gin, invented by Eli Whitney in 1793, significantly increased the demand for southern cotton. As a result, more slaves were needed to pick and haul the cotton, contributing to the expansion of slavery.

How did slave laws control the lives of enslaved Africans?

Slaves were prohibited from owning property, firearms, and alcohol. Most states did not recognize slave marriages, and many slaves were prevented from learning to read and write. They had no legal recourse against mistreatment.

What forms of resistance did slaves engage in against their bondage?

Slaves resisted through various means, including subtle acts like working slowly, pretending not to understand tasks, and 'accidentally' breaking equipment. Some also participated in violent revolts, such as the 1831 rebellion led by Nat Turner.

Who were prominent figures in the abolitionist movement?

Key figures in the abolitionist movement included Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, and William Lloyd Garrison. They fought to end slavery through speeches, publications, and activism.

What was the significance of the Underground Railroad?

The Underground Railroad was a secret network of people who helped runaway slaves escape to freedom in the North. Notable conductors like Harriet Tubman helped guide hundreds of slaves to freedom despite the dangers posed by bounty hunters and the Fugitive Slave Act.

How did the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation impact slavery in the United States?

The Civil War, triggered by issues including slavery, led to the Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862, which declared the freedom of all enslaved people in Confederate territories. Slavery was officially abolished in 1865 with the passage of the 13th Amendment.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 The Origins of American Slavery

Slavery in America began in the 17th century, as Africans were captured, often through violent means, and forced into a life of servitude. European powers coerced African tribes to enslave others, with captives enduring a brutal journey to the coast, followed by a harrowing Atlantic crossing. Many died during these events, and those who survived faced dehumanizing conditions. The first African slaves arrived in Jamestown in 1619, marking the start of an expanding system of forced labor.

05:01

💔 The Legal and Social Status of Slaves

Slaves in America were denied fundamental human rights, treated as property, and subjected to brutal conditions. They could not marry, own property, or earn wages, and often faced harsh physical punishment. However, slaves developed a distinct culture, preserving African traditions and blending them with Christianity. Spirituality and family were key sources of strength, and slaves resisted their bondage through subtle acts of defiance and violent revolts. Notable rebellions, like Nat Turner's uprising in 1831, showcased the fight against oppression.

10:02

🚂 The Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman

The Underground Railroad was a network of safe houses that helped slaves escape to the North. Harriet Tubman, a key figure, guided over 600 slaves to freedom, earning the title 'Moses' for her leadership. Her method involved secrecy and surprise, often using spirituals to communicate coded messages. She extended the escape route to Canada after the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which made Northern states unsafe for runaway slaves. Tubman’s courage and leadership became a symbol of hope for many enslaved people.

15:03

⚔️ Abolitionist Movement and John Brown’s Raid

The Abolitionist Movement gained momentum in the 19th century, with figures like Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass advocating for an end to slavery. John Brown, an abolitionist, planned a violent uprising to free slaves, leading a raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry in 1859. Though Brown’s raid ultimately failed and he was executed, it highlighted the growing tension between abolitionists and pro-slavery forces. This period laid the groundwork for the Civil War, as calls for freedom grew louder.

20:05

💣 The Civil War and the End of Slavery

Abraham Lincoln's election in 1860 sparked Southern secession, leading to the Civil War. While economic issues played a role, slavery was at the heart of the conflict. Lincoln eventually issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, and nearly 185,000 black soldiers fought for the Union. The Civil War ended in 1865, bringing freedom to 4 million enslaved people. The passage of the 13th Amendment later that year legally abolished slavery, though the road to full equality was still long and arduous.

25:05

🏛️ Reconstruction and the Fight for Citizenship

After the Civil War, Reconstruction brought hope for change as the federal government imposed military rule in the South and granted voting rights to black men. However, this period of reform did not significantly improve economic conditions for freed slaves, and white Southerners soon resisted the new order. Groups like the Ku Klux Klan emerged to strip African Americans of their rights, leading to a protracted struggle for equality that would extend well into the 20th century.

Keywords

💡Slavery

Slavery is a system of forced labor where individuals are treated as property, deprived of personal freedom and compelled to work for others. In the video, it describes slavery in America, which began in the 17th century when Africans were captured, transported, and forced into labor, primarily in the southern United States. The video highlights how slavery was central to the American economy, especially in cotton production, and how slaves had no rights or autonomy.

💡Abolitionist Movement

The Abolitionist Movement was a social and political effort to end slavery and the slave trade. It included both black and white activists who viewed slavery as immoral. Figures like Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth, mentioned in the video, were key participants. The movement is depicted as a driving force against the institution of slavery, emphasizing the moral and legal challenges it presented.

💡Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad was a secret network of routes and safe houses used to help enslaved African Americans escape to free states and Canada. The video features Harriet Tubman, one of its most famous conductors, who led many slaves to freedom. The concept illustrates the extreme risks taken by both the escaped slaves and those aiding them in their quest for freedom.

💡Cotton Gin

The cotton gin was a machine invented by Eli Whitney in 1793, which revolutionized cotton processing by making it faster and more efficient. This invention increased the demand for cotton and, by extension, for slave labor to harvest the cotton, as mentioned in the video. The cotton gin’s introduction is tied directly to the growth of slavery in the southern United States.

💡Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation was an executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862, which declared the freedom of slaves in Confederate states. The video discusses how this marked a pivotal moment in the fight against slavery during the Civil War and laid the foundation for the eventual abolition of slavery across the United States.

💡Dred Scott Decision

The Dred Scott Decision was a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1857, which declared that African Americans, whether free or enslaved, were not U.S. citizens and therefore could not sue in federal court. The video explains how this decision was a significant setback for the abolitionist cause and reinforced the legal standing of slavery in the southern states.

💡Nat Turner's Rebellion

Nat Turner's Rebellion was a violent slave revolt that took place in 1831, led by Nat Turner, an enslaved preacher. The video describes how Turner and his followers killed plantation owners in Virginia in an effort to overthrow the system of slavery. Though the rebellion was ultimately crushed, it spread fear among slaveholders and increased tensions leading to the Civil War.

💡Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass was a former enslaved man who became a leading figure in the abolitionist movement. He is highlighted in the video for his oratory skills, his publication of the abolitionist newspaper *The North Star*, and his tireless efforts to fight for the rights of African Americans. Douglass is compared to later civil rights leaders, such as Martin Luther King Jr.

💡Reconstruction Era

The Reconstruction Era refers to the period after the Civil War (1865–1877), during which the southern states were reintegrated into the Union, and efforts were made to rebuild the South and provide civil rights to freed slaves. The video explains how this period initially brought about reforms, including voting rights for freedmen, but was met with resistance and violence, particularly from groups like the Ku Klux Klan.

💡Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman was an escaped slave and one of the most well-known conductors of the Underground Railroad. The video calls her the 'Moses of her people' for her role in leading over 600 slaves to freedom. Her bravery, wisdom, and commitment to helping others escape bondage make her a central figure in the history of American slavery and abolition.

Highlights

Slavery in America began in the 17th century with the forced capture and displacement of Africans.

European powers coerced African tribes into enslaving others by threatening them with advanced weaponry.

Captured Africans were often marched up to 600 miles to the coast, where they faced grueling conditions on slave ships.

The first slaves in American colonies arrived in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619.

By 1763, there were approximately 230,000 enslaved Africans in the colonies, with the majority living in the South.

Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin in 1793 dramatically increased the demand for slave labor in the South.

By 1860, there were 4 million enslaved Africans in the United States, controlled by a small, powerful group of wealthy whites.

Slaves were denied basic rights, such as the ability to marry, own property, and learn to read or write.

Despite the harsh conditions, slaves developed an independent culture through folk tales, religion, and family life.

Resistance to slavery ranged from covert acts of defiance, like working slowly, to violent rebellions, such as Nat Turner's Revolt in 1831.

Harriet Tubman became a key figure in the Underground Railroad, helping over 600 slaves escape to freedom.

The Dred Scott decision in 1857 ruled that black men were not U.S. citizens and did not gain freedom by entering free states.

John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859 aimed to incite a slave rebellion but ultimately failed.

Abraham Lincoln's election in 1860 and his opposition to slavery led to the outbreak of the Civil War.

The Civil War ended in 1865, bringing freedom to nearly 4 million slaves, but racial discrimination persisted long after.

Transcripts

Coming For To Carry Me Home

slavery is a system of forced labor that

has existed throughout the world for

thousands of years

in America slavery began in the 17th

century when people in Africa were

overpowered and forced to leave their

native land their culture and their

families behind

European side and others did not simply

March into Africa and just take people

off I mean there were battles there were

Wars that were were lost you know by the

British by the French by the Portuguese

as well as those which were one you had

males and females leading forces against

the enslavers

Europeans responded by coercing One

Tribe to enslave another threatening to

arm their enemies with terrifying new

weapons if they did not cooperate

these tribal slave Traders selected

strong healthy males and females between

the ages of 18 and 35 although children

were often captured as well

the African captives were chained

together at the ankle or wrist are

linked at the neck by wooden yoke

once bound the captives embarked on a

grueling march sometimes as long as 600

miles to the coast where European ships

awaited them

many perished from the rigors of the

trip

others resisted their captors and were

killed

the Atlantic Crossing took from four to

eight weeks men women and children were

crowded into tightly packed quarters

the ordeal was so demoralizing that the

Africans often sank into a deep

depression

some chose death rather than to endure

the degradation

they attempted to escape on on ships by

simply if the opportunity offered Itself

by uh by leaping off and uh drowning or

whatever once they were Bound by the

Continental uh United States uh the um

the protests to form more of

insurrection

the first slaves in the American

colonies a cargo of about 20 Africans

arrived at Jamestown Virginia in 1619.

the number of enslaved Africans

increased steadily each year

by 1763 the colonial population included

an estimated 230 000 Africans most of

them slaves in the south

Dave was someone

who could be forced to work from the age

of eight

six four even

long hours at tasks that someone else

decided

a slave was a person who had no right to

a vacation

a slave was a person who had no rights

to wages

a slave could have no property

slaves could not marry

by the late 18th century the textile

industry had ended a period of Rapid

development in both England and in the

northern United States

this growth created a tremendous demand

for southern cotton

in 1793 Eli Whitney developed the cotton

gin a machine that cleaned cotton five

times faster than manual methods as a

result more slaves were needed to pick

and haul the cotton

by 1860 there would be four million

African slaves in the United States

this enormous population of slaves was

owned by a small group of the wealthiest

and most powerful whites in American

society

as African slaves toiled in the fields

laws were created to enforce their low

status

they were prohibited from participating

in lawsuits from owning property of

firearms and from possessing alcohol

Most states did not recognize slave

marriages and often prohibited slaves

from learning to read and write

treatment slaves received from their

masters vary tremendously

some owners were brutal sadist who

worked their slaves mercilessly and

threatened them with Corporal discipline

so painful that it amounted to torture

if you were ordered to do a task that

you knew would be dangerous to you you

had to do it

so even though it's tempting to put

poverty and slavery together they were

very different and the difference is

that enslaved workers had no rights a

slave had no protection from this

mistreatment because the law considered

a slave another man's property not a

human being

when a slave suffered a whipping he

could neither fight back nor take his

master to court

slaves developed an independent culture

unknown to their masters they spun

fantastic spoken narratives that passed

from one generation to the next

these folk tales expressed the enslaved

Africans aspirations for a better life

many slaves found strength to endure

oppression through their religion which

Blended Christianity with African

beliefs

spirituality was a strong force in the

life of the slave

slaves could turn to God

with all of their problems

slaves could ask God to either relieve

them of the burden of a brutal slave

master

or to free them from the day-to-day

struggle in their lives

at the core of slave Society was the

family

slave families suffered when one member

was sold to another Plantation

owners usually kept Women and Children

Together selling off the father and sons

on the well-established plantations

black families had a better chance of

remaining intact

some enduring for three or four

generations

although religion folk tales and family

life softened the horrors of slavery

they did not lessen the humiliating

aspects of servitude

slaves sought more direct means of

resisting their bondage through violent

Rebellion are subtle and covert acts of

resistance

you found people who were enslaved that

resisted by working very slowly

pretending that they didn't know how to

do something

accidentally breaking equipment just

slowing down the process not happy go

lucky going along with everything these

were all forms of resistance

wherever there were Africans in the

Western Hemisphere there were slave

revolts

Haiti's Tucson love a tour helped rid

the island of European Domination by

organizing his people into a standing

army of several thousand troops

the best known slavery vote in U.S

history occurred in 1831 in Southampton

Virginia

it was led by a plantation headman named

Nat Turner rose up in Revolt with other

slaves and killed the plantation owner

and his family

the Rampage was halted when local

militia crushed the Rebellion capturing

and executing Turner

many men and women known as abolitionist

worked unceasingly to end slavery

they viewed slavery as immoral and

unchristian and could not comprehend how

Americans steeped in the tenets of the

Declaration of Independence could

sanction the enslavement of human beings

many former slaves like Sojourner Truth

supported the Abolitionist Movement she

traveled widely speaking for both racial

and gender causes

Sojourner Truth using her very strong

religious beliefs felt this need this

urge to travel the country delivering

her message of um of upliftment for

black people and ultimately did become

someone who was involved in many other

activities including the Abolitionist

Movement including the women's movement

the Abolitionist Movement attracted

members of both races including the

prominent journalist William Lloyd

Garrison who published The Liberator the

leading anti-slavery newspaper of the

day

Frederick Douglass another towering

figure in the anti-slavery movement was

born a Maryland slave in about 1817.

escaping to the north he became an agent

of the Massachusetts anti-slavery

society and a tireless orator for black

freedom

in 1847 Douglas founded an abolitionist

newspaper the North Star

he was politically active and simply

involved in every aspect of life that he

could uh in an attempt to improve the

status of black Americans in the 19th

century that's certainly individuals in

the 20th century such as Martin Luther

King

who had a similar impact as Frederick

Douglass did in his time so I would say

to a high school student that who is

more likely to know of Martin Luther

King in our modern time that he should

be aware of Frederick Douglass as the

equivalent of a Martin Luther King in

the 19th century

on plantations

slaves perform numerous jobs and were

placed in hierarchical ranks

field slaves were usually divided into

gangs of five to ten and supervised by a

slave driver often a slave himself

many slaves escape to Freedom along a

series of trails known as the

Underground Railroad

the railroad was a loose network of

people willing to hide runaway slaves in

their homes and conduct them to the next

station

our safe house until they could reach

the free North

the Underground Railroad was also aided

by Northern abolitionist organizations

such as the Philadelphia vigilance

committee who gave supplies and helped

conduct slaves to freedom the

Philadelphia

is aged in aiding fugitive slaves

it was a group that had operated from

the late 1830s into the early 1840s and

it was comprised of fugitives as well as

free blacks and white supporters

it was a group that aided the

Underground Railroad and their primary

job was to Aid fugitives with food and

clothing and and money and to direct

them on to other places

sued by Angry slave masters and bounty

hunters the route for escaped slaves was

perilous and hard

many did not survive the hardship or

were caught and returned to their

masters

the most famous guide on the Underground

Railroad was Harriet Tubman

having escaped from a Maryland

Plantation in 1849 she became familiar

with the roads hiding places and Depots

that were used to conduct runaways to

freedom in the North

Harriet Tubman was a

Brave courageous wise

and kind person

not only did she

concern herself about her Liberty but

she concerned herself about people of

all Races as you know one reason why the

Underground Railroad was so popular

among people throughout the world is

that people of all Races Creeds and

colors came together

Tubman's method relied on secrecy and

surprise

she would gather money and supplies in

the north then slip down to the Eastern

Shore through Delaware and into Maryland

arriving unannounced until the last

moment

she would make contact with the slaves

who were ready to escape

and the word would be quickly spread up

to all of those who were determined that

they would be free where they should

meet her at the appointed hour and of

course those who chose Freedom met her

there and embarked with her on the Trek

to Freedom after she learned from her

first Venture that she could not she

could not um trust slaves to determine

that they were going to drop out she

packed the revolver and for those who

determined that they were going to turn

around she told them go forward or die

to avoid suspicion Tubman sang

traditional slave spirituals to relay

coded messages to slaves

she stole away Into the Night

crept along the very slave quarters or

cabins oftentimes Whispering or knocking

our doors more or less singing

uh steal away steal away steal away to

Jesus I ain't got long to stay here with

a coated spiritual informing the slaves

to steal away

having gathered her flock Tubman would

travel at night and conduct them to

Delaware Pennsylvania

she used only the most trusted contacts

and safe houses along the route of the

Underground Railroad

one such key station on the Underground

Railroad was Johnson House in Germantown

Pennsylvania

owned by Quakers Johnson house was a

safe haven for exhausted runaway slaves

in 1850 the Fugitive Slave Act

intensified the risk for runaway slaves

under federal law any negro accused of

being a runaway could be returned to

slavery by the sworn statement of the

slave's owner

northern states that had been safe for

fugitive slaves became dangerous as

runaway slaves were hunted for reward

to be safe

Tubman extended her Underground Railroad

trail to Saint Catherine's Canada

a town near Niagara Falls

walk together children walk together

children don't become weary we're going

to make it to the promised land I have

shoes you have shoes all God's children

have shoes when you get to heaven going

to put on their shoes and walk all over

God's heaven heaven was a cold word for

Canada

during her trips to the South

Harriet Tubman became known as the Moses

of her people referring to the biblical

Moses who delivered his people from

Egyptian bondage

she successfully conducted over 600

slaves to freedom including her own

family and freedom is a word that has

tremendous resonance particularly for

black Americans but also for Americans

in general because slavery stands right

behind it and we know so much about what

slavery meant slavery was a terrible

condition that no one wanted to embrace

or to be part of so freedom is glorious

because it's the denial it's it's the

triumph over slavery in 1857 the growing

Abolitionist Movement suffered a setback

when the United States Supreme Court

handed down a controversial decision in

the case of Dred Scott versus Sanford

Dred Scott a black slave brought suit

against his owner on the grounds that he

had legally become emancipated while

traveling through the Free Soil state of

Illinois

the Supreme Court ruled against God

declaring that as a black man he was not

a United States citizen and thus had no

right to bring a suit in a federal court

more importantly the Court ruled that a

slave did not automatically gain his

Liberty by entering a free state

the legal system was available to

African Americans to a certain extent

which means that they could pursue their

grievances through the courts but it did

not mean necessarily that the courts

would be sympathetic to their interests

or that fairness would be the issue

two years after the Dred Scott case an

abolitionist named John Brown

organized a plot to free Southern slaves

through armed intervention

in order to secure sufficient Weaponry

he led a raiding party of 13 whites and

five blocks into the federal Arsenal at

Harpers Ferry Virginia

Dan Brown

contacted Harriet Tubman and Frederick

Douglass and involved them in his Hoppus

Ferry plan to attack the slave owning

slot South and to liberate the slaves

Harriet Tubman was committed to join

Brown

um Frederick Douglass however studied

the plan and determined that it would

fail and decided that he would not be a

part Harriet Tubman would have been with

John Brown at Harpers Ferry had she not

become ill at the courts would be

sympathetic to their interests or that

fairness would be the issue

two years after the Dred Scott case an

abolitionist named John Brown

organized a plot to free Southern slaves

through armed intervention

in order to secure sufficient Weaponry

he led a raiding party of 13 whites and

five blocks into the federal Arsenal at

Harpers Ferry Virginia

John Brown

contacted Harriet Tubman and Frederick

Douglass and involved them in his

Harpers Ferry plan to attack the slave

owning South and to liberate the slaves

Harriet Tubman was committed to join

Brown

um Frederick Douglass however studied

the plan and determined that it would

fail and decided that he would not be a

part Harriet Tubman would have been with

John Brown at Harpers Ferry had she not

become ill at the time

Brown rested control of the Armory

killed the town's mayor and seized

several hostages before he was captured

by federal authorities and hang two

months later

in 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected the

16th president of the United States

he opposed the expansion of slavery and

his victory through the South into

revolt

by March of 1861 seven states Alabama

Florida Georgia Louisiana Mississippi

South Carolina and Texas had seceded

from the union to form a coalition they

called the Confederate States of America

the Civil War began one month later when

Confederate gunfire sounded over the

federal stronghold of Fort Sumter in

South Carolina

Lincoln responded by issuing a call for

75 000 volunteers to man the Union Army

idea that economic issues were of utmost

importance in the causing of the war

many historians though have come to the

conclusion in recent years that slavery

was the key issue which caused the Civil

War

at the heart of the Civil War was the

issue of whether or not the slave states

were going to be able to

maintain their status

the abolitionists presented the

president with two demands the right of

freed blacks to fight with the Union

Army and the emancipation of the slaves

the abolitionists were the men and women

black and white that wanted to abolish

or to end slavery

many of the abolitionists were in the

north and they fought for many years to

to change the system that the country

had accepted I'd like to add also that

for women abolitionists speaking in

public was tremendously courageous

that the early 19th century was a time

in which women did not generally speak

in public it was not considered the

thing to do for respectable women

eventually Lincoln acceded to both

demands

nearly 185 000 blacks fought valiantly

during the Civil War

and about 38 000 of them gave their

lives to the Union's cause

in December 1862

Lincoln issued the Emancipation

Proclamation abolishing slavery

the wars end in April 1865 brought

freedom to nearly 4 million slaves

Friedman as both males and females were

called celebrated throughout the south

on plantations at Crossroads between

them by word

news of the Emancipation Proclamation

spread I believe like wildfire

throughout the Confederacy uh the the

ability of

African-Americans to transmit messages

before the Civil War during the Civil

War is legendary and this was another

example of that legendary ability to

communicate

in December 1865 Congress passed the

13th Amendment to the Constitution of

the United States

guaranteeing the hard-won freedom of

African slaves

stated neither slavery nor involuntary

servitude shall exist within the United

States

emancipation throughout the South was

followed by a period of intense

confusion in which blacks made the

dramatic transition From Slavery to

citizenship

first a number of slaves decided to walk

about as the expression was in that time

to test freedom to see what it really

meant but they soon discovered that life

meant more than just having simple

freedom without economic support and so

many were forced to go back to the old

plantations and to contract with their

owners for work

in

1867

Congress fed up with the [ __ ] footing

of the president who was then Andrew

Johnson a slaveholder from Tennessee and

a man who had been Lincoln's vice

president and who ascended to the office

with the assassination of President

Lincoln passed the first Reconstruction

Act in March of that year and that

placed the 10 of the 11 states of the

Confederacy the fighting South under

military rule in five districts

and annulled the governments of those

States

this reconstruction ushered in an era of

reform but did not alter the economic

disparity between the former slaves and

their masters

the South complied with the dictates of

reconstruction only because the military

now occupied their territory enforcing

the new laws

as part of this revolutionary pattern in

the south

Congress extended the right to vote to

all free men

thus granting formally unheard of power

to the blacks

this new block of black voters without a

corresponding economic Foundation only

increased the ability of the Republican

party to maintain temporary control of

the re-united states

after the Reconstruction government

failed and the northern soldiers were

pulled out of the South violence

increased in the South

groups like the Ku Klux Klan were

attempting to take away the rights that

had been gained by African Americans

one of the things that I think young

people today should be aware of is the

range of extremely important

contributions that African-Americans

have made to American society over the

years and that they've been able to make

these contributions in the face of uh

overwhelming odds they have fought for

rights which had been denied them and

which we now have available to us and

which quite often quite frequently we

abuse we don't take full advantage of

the Civil War destroyed the institution

of slavery but it did not end the racism

of white Southerners who wanted their

former slaves to retain their inferior

status

discrimination against Americans of

African descent would continue

like Tubman and Douglas before them new

leaders would be called forward by

African Americans to guide their fight

for freedom