...Mothers” and “Slave-Scarred Veterans”: The Commemoration of Slavery and Emancipation “Agonizing Groans of Mothers” and “Slave-Scarred Veterans”: The Commemoration of Slavery and Emancipation Leslie A. Schwalm This paper explores the public memory of black slavery and freedom among white and African American Midwesterners of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Using an innovative approach that probes public celebrations, autobiography and memoir, family history and obituaries of the formerly enslaved, this paper challenges several key conclusions about African American relationships to the slave past that have been drawn by scholars in both literary and African American studies. Rather than...
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...The Impact of Slavery on American Society DeVry University Abstract The subject of slavery has been the focus of a variety of controversies, debates, and protests throughout American history. Besides the Civil War era there has not been another time in history when slavery has been such a volatile topic as it has become in the last half decade. Even in modern day America the subject of slavery evokes significant discussions and has influenced legislative decisions such as the recent removal of the Confederate flag from South Carolina’s State House grounds and other government and public locations throughout the South. This paper seeks to review the literature attaching the history of slavery and present examples of the ethnic and cultural contributions that aided in the growth and diversity of America. It will also introduce examples of today’s societal issues including educational, economic, and social variances; the right to support cultural heritage; and the significant role history plays in influencing decisions made in America today. Introduction American history is filled with heinous acts that many would like to forget happened; slavery is no exception. Although it was a necessity of the times, slavery is undoubtedly one of the most volatile topics of discussion today; not just because of the inhuman and discriminatory treatment that was inflicted on an entire race, but also because of the perceived continued existence of some of those same...
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...African Americans Journey to attain Equality and Civil Rights African Americans Journey to attain Equality and Civil Rights African-Americans have been fighting to end segregation and discrimination ever since slavery began. The “isolation” on which they endured to attain civil rights and equality was crucial at this point in time. In relationship to their work to end slavery, the technology, politics, military, culture, and society played a huge role. This role was persistent when African Americans were slaves and when they began to break free from being known as property. At times, the ending of isolation had resulted of periods of tension and struggle. African Americans have worked hard to end segregation through the non-violent strategies of sit-ins, boycotting, and their massive resistance to give in to their freedom (Bowles, 2011). The enduring fight and struggles to end racial discrimination plus attain equality and civil rights have, and will continue to be an ongoing battle for existing and future African-Americans. The strategies that African Americans used to end this discrimination have been influential and will be forever known in history as strong individuals because they endured beatings, were thought of as property, and had to fight for any type of rights but they still fought for freedom and against the injustice of slavery. The fight for slavery started many years before the first slaves came to the United States. The history of slavery in the United States...
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... Research Paper History 117 1. During the 1830s to the 1850s indicated a period when people were beginning to get a sense of reformation regarding American idealism of a democratic and free society. The core goal to end slavery became the central focus to a group known as abolitionists. Formed by a limited amount of men and women both white and black, the abolitionists came most from the North with hardly any from the South. The beliefs of the abolitionists to end slavery in the mid eighteen hundreds, came from not only their understanding of freedom and citizenship which meant equal rights for all persons regardless of their skin color or racial background, but the fact African Americans had not received any rights, and had used slaves as a source of income. Abolitionists indicated “African Americans should be recognized as American citizens and incorporated into the nation”[1], since American society intended for everyone living in the United States to be citizens. Black and white abolitionists who tried to end slavery were William Lloyd Garrison, Theodore Weld, and Frederick Douglas. 2. The movement of the abolition of slavery started to intensify as both northern and southern individuals gathered to voice their hostility towards slavery by using the public sphere. Abolitionists focused mainly on changing the views of the public on slavery by publishing pamphlets, gathering signatures on petitions, speaking out against slavery, and getting involved in other...
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...Drew Kuntzi African American History to 1865 April 9, 2024 A Reflection on African American History Studying history is not merely an exercise in examining the past; it is an exploration of the complex tapestry that shapes the world we live in today. Understanding the events, ideas, and struggles of previous generations is essential for comprehending the present and envisioning the future. In this reflection, I delve into the rich and multifaceted history of African Americans, exploring key themes, events, and ideas that have left an indelible mark on our society. Throughout this semester, we have delved deeply into the history of African Americans, uncovering pivotal moments that have shaped their experiences and aspirations. Three major themes...
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... Research Paper History 117 1. During the 1830s to the 1850s indicated a period when people were beginning to get a sense of reformation regarding American idealism of a democratic and free society. The core goal to end slavery became the central focus to a group known as abolitionists. Formed by a limited amount of men and women both white and black, the abolitionists came most from the North with hardly any from the South. The beliefs of the abolitionists to end slavery in the mid eighteen hundreds, came from not only their understanding of freedom and citizenship which meant equal rights for all persons regardless of their skin color or racial background, but the fact African Americans had not received any rights, and had used slaves as a source of income. Abolitionists indicated “African Americans should be recognized as American citizens and incorporated into the nation” , since American society intended for everyone living in the United States to be citizens. Black and white abolitionists who tried to end slavery were William Lloyd Garrison, Theodore Weld, and Frederick Douglas. 2. The movement of the abolition of slavery started to intensify as both northern and southern individuals gathered to voice their hostility towards slavery by using the public sphere. Abolitionists focused mainly on changing the views of the public on slavery by publishing pamphlets, gathering signatures on petitions, speaking out against slavery, and getting involved in other...
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...Earning Emancipation Slavery as a social institution has been around since recorded history, it was not invented by the United States, it was however practiced and perpetuated to a level that at its peak created the highest number of millionaires per capita to have ever existed. In order to understand the full spectrum of such a monumental racial issue, not only must case to case examples be explored; but also the demographics of these generations, socially and economically. The United State’s industrial beginnings were fueled by slavery, over generations of struggle, and unimaginable stories of Africans, it has finally been constitutionally bound, amended, and re-amended, that the nation of the United States will provide freedom and equality, and that no man or woman will be owned by another. Every ounce of this freedom was earned, fought for, and wept over, by great Africans and white abolitionists that cared more for their brothers and sisters futures than themselves. African-Americans created their own freedom, it is illustrated and proven by great Africans who rose to eloquently convince, fiercely battle through the bloodiest war on American Soil, passionately illustrate deep humanity, and patiently march forward for freedom, taking action, and creating equality. Dr. Robert Francis Engs is a well-loved historian, a graduate from Princeton and Yale, and revered professor proclaims in his own words, “THE SLAVES FREED THEMSELVES.”1 Dr. Engs has compiled a database that holds...
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...The Eastern Shore has multiple counties within it. Its county is unique and has had a very unique slave journey. Wicomico County, Kent County, Worcester County, Dorchester County, and Caroline County are some counties that are on the Eastern Shore they all are unique and have all experienced slavery some worse than others. These counties have their own heritage, important African American people, and towns and villages that has meant something in African American history. Wicomico County is one of the counties. Slaves in Wicomico County undoubtedly contained many “stations” on the underground railway used by slaves on their way to freedom. Many African American families have huge reputations here. There weren’t many important people there...
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...African American History Michele Matthews HIS 204 American History Since 1865 Instructor: Mark Hoffman November 13, 2013 African American History To earn their place in America’s Society, African Americans fought many battles that brought them a very long way from 1865. African Americans went through a whole lot of hardship to get where they are today. Yes it is not perfect now but every actions made a big different through history. There are many achievements African American has made since the ending of slavery. Many sat, spoke, marched, cried, fought, died, and dreamed to make footprint in history. In this paper I will discuss some very important event in African American history like our 44th President Obama back to when slavery was ended. It all started in 1865 when the Civil war ended. The African American felt their freedom was a great turning point. Once slavery ended African American made plan to expand their culture. In our textbook, it states “They had a clear vision of what freedom meant. It was not just freedom from white control, but also the opportunity to expand the institutions and autonomous culture that they made while they endured slavery” (Bowles, 2011). As they develop a new society and beliefs, the laws started to change as while. The Plessy v. Ferguson case was the birth of the Jim Crow law. In David Bishop journal, he stated “Bernstein concluded that the “Supreme Court was compelled to distort cases before it could pollute the stream...
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...Edmund S. Morgan: American Slavery, American Freedom Edmund S. Morgan discusses the historical ideas between slavery and the fight for freedom, mostly in Virginia. He explains American history in a different view on how slavery of the blacks, secured the privilege of the whites. Edmund argues that the experience of the Virginia colonies show the natural and unavoidable rise in slavery as an American solution to a real issue of labor shortages, excess capacity, and open markets. One of Morgan’s overall conclusion is that America was built upon this foundation of enslaved African Americans. The core message of the book is the paradox between the ample amounts of independence liked by some in the colony and slavery undergo by many others. In the first chapter, Morgan stated, “The paradox is American, and it behooves Americans to understand it if they would understand themselves. But the key to the puzzle, historically, does lie in Virginia” (5). Morgan wants the readers to understand the true American history and culture on how we got here today. Other subject manners in this book include the association between the colonies and the Native Americans, with the tobacco economy. Morgan described the racial, economic and constitutional evolution of the 17th and early 18th century Virginia. Morgan explains on how spokesmen like George...
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...African American Women Under Slavery This paper discusses the experiences of African American Women under slavery during the Slave Trade, their exploitation, the secrecy, the variety of tasks and positions of slave women, slave and ex-slave narratives, and significant contributions to history. Also, this paper presents the hardships African American women faced and the challenges they overcame to become equal with men in today’s society. Slavery was a destructive experience for African Americans especially women. Black women suffered doubly during the slave era. Slave Trade For most women who endured it, the experience of the Slave Trade was one of being outnumbered by men. Roughly one African woman was carried across the Atlantic for every two men. The captains of slave ships were usually instructed to buy as high a proportion of men as they could, because men could be sold for more in the Americas. Women thus arrived in the American colonies as a minority. For some reason, women did not stay a minority. Slave records found that most plantations, even during the period of the slave trade, there were relatively equal numbers of men and women. Slaveholders showed little interest in women as mothers. Their willingness to pay more for men than women, despite the fact than children born to enslaved women would also be the slaveowners’ property and would thus increase their wealth. Women who did have children, therefore, always struggled with the impossible conflict...
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...migration was unique in American history. In the mid 1500s, European mariners started bringing colored Africans to America as slaves. The Africans were brought over by ship where 1 out of every 5 captives died by time the ship got to the Atlantic seacoast. The slaves were chained below docks in very cramped spaces while they were being transported. When they reached America they were auctioned off to owners who used them primarily as plantation workers. Slave owners had the right to harshly punish them and break up families by selling off family members. Slavery was a tough time for African Americans but more so a significant event in the American history. Around the 17th and 18th centuries is when some blacks started to gain their freedom, acquire property, and have access to American society. A lot of African Americans moved to North where slavery was less enforced. The Missouri Compromise banned slavery North of the southern boundary of Missouri. By the early 1800s free blacks and many whites started to call for the end of slavery. In 1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed by congress, which established the territories of Kansas and Nebraska and also repealing the Missouri Compromise of 1820. This act sparked up tension between the anti a proslavery groups. With the call of freedom for salves from the North, the South was not too appealing to the idea they formed the Confederacy and also marked the beginning of the Civil War. Many African Americans volunteered to fight...
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...Civil War and Slavery January 30, 2011 HIS 325: African American History Civil War and Slavery The decade of 1850s was a very fateful and turbulent time in the US history. This is when the seeds of the US Civil War began due to the North and the South disagreeing on the status of the slaves and the idea of slavery. The South had many plantations that were run by the slaves and the North was in favor of abolishing slavery. The South knew that if slavery was abolished, they would stand to lose a lot as they would have to pay their farmers instead of them being their slaves. The North was more industrialized and it really did not have much need for slaves and slavery. It is perhaps most interesting to note that slavery had a very direct relation with the Civil War as one of the root causes for the start of the war was because of slavery. Slavery was introduced in the America during the early colonial times and the American Revolution had established that all men should be equal. There was a lot of debate amongst the Americans and the North and the South came across a rift when it came to the ideas regarding slavery. The South had more plantations and needed more workers and this is why they favored slavery. The North had different ideas and they wanted the freedom of the slaves. This caused a rift and was the cause of the Civil War between the North and the South. The South really needed the slaves to work on...
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...Essay on African American History Introduction In the essay “On the Evolution of Scholarship in Afro- American History” the eminent historian John Hope Franklin declared “Every generation has the opportunity to write its own history, and indeed it is obliged to do so.”1 The social and political revolutions of 1960s have made fulfilling such a responsibility less daunting than ever. Invaluable references, including Darlene Clark Hine, ed. Black Women in America: An Historical Encyclopedia 2nd ed. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2004); Evelyn Brooks Higgingbotham, ed., Harvard Guide to African American History (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2001); Arvarh E. Strickland and Robert E. Weems, Jr., eds., The African American Experience: An Historiographical and Bibliographical Guide (Westport: Greenwood Press, 2001); and Randall M. Miller and John David Smith, eds., Dictionary of Afro- American Slavery (Westport: Greenwood Press, 1988), provide informative narratives along with expansive bibliographies. General texts covering major historical events with attention to chronology include John Hope Franklin and Alfred A. Moss, Jr., From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans (Boston: McGraw Hill, 2000), considered a classic; along with Joe William Trotter, Jr., The African American 1  Experience (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2001); and, Darlene Clark Hine, William C. Hine, and Stanley Harrold, The African American...
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...African American History Since 1865 Alishia Colella HIS 204 American History Since 1865 Instructor Thomas Roka March 11, 2013 African American History Since 1865 Most individuals are probably familiar with the well-documented information regarding African American history, such as the Civil Rights Movement and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but there are also many little known facts about their history that are of equal importance. African Americans have been present in the United States ever since the early 1600s and their presents plays an important role in American history not only because of the Civil Rights Movement, but because of the strength and courage that they had struggling to try and live a good life in America. History is rife with records of decades of untold torture and harrowing experiences that African American slaves suffered from at the hands of their captors and masters; they were even denied all natural rights as human beings and forced to live like animals. In all actuality, a slave was viewed as one-third of a person and the property of their owner(s), treated as an object instead of a person. Therefore, one could assume that after their emancipation, life would have become significantly better because the slavers were free to move away from the torturous hands of their masters. However, most of them faced incredible opposition and discrimination even after emancipation. Thus by and large, did not truly free them nor did it directly lead...
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