Slavery edit
Slavery in the United States took place during both the 18th and 19th century. Slaves were taken from their homes in Africa and traded off into America. Slavery used to be legal in the United States Colonies. The life of a slave was extremely difficult. They worked outside in the weather, good or bad,everyday. It was not their choice, but they were scared of being beaten by their masters. They were forced to do all the jobs people hated doing, like working in the heat. If they did not work as hard as their master thought they should they would get severally beaten, some were almost beaten to death. Eventually the slaves could not take it anymore and they started to fight for their freedom. This helped a little bit, but not enough for all, so they started escaping using the Underground Railroad.
Being a Slave edit
Life was extremely hard for people with colored skin in the United States. Slaves were bought, sold, and worked all of their lives. “A Negro was lynched in the South once every three days” [1]. They were treated horribly by their masters. Several slaves were left with marks and scars on their bodies were they had been beaten [2]. Slave owners thought of slaves like another piece of working equipment. “Separation from family and friends was probably the greatest fear a black person in slavery faced” [3]. It is sad that slaves could be almost beaten to death, but that was not even their biggest fear. It really shows how close they would get with their families.
Fighting for Their Freedom edit
The Abolitionist Movement showed that slaves would fight for their freedom. Frederick Douglass watched his friends and family get beaten. Ever since he was a little boy, freedom never left his thoughts [4]. The older he got the more he fought back. He was a huge role model to the other slaves to fight for what they wanted. Another famous leader for the slaves was Nat Turner, who led about 70 slaves. Within a short period of two days, they killed about 60 white people [5]. A man by the name of John Brown also fought for the freedom of slaves. He attacked a federal arsenal in Virginia, so they could rebel and attack with weapons. The United States troops caught John Brown and his men, killing half of them including John Brown himself.[6]
Underground Railroad edit
The Underground Railroad was a very dangerous operation that could cost someone their life. The operation was for slaves to escape the hard life they lived. They slaves would set out late at night and head toward the homes provided to help them escape. Their overall goal was to get to Canada where their masters couldn’t get them [7] Harriet Tubman was a slave who successfully escaped from a plantation in Maryland. She returned shortly after to help others escape. “Within a few months, there was no cabin within the distance of walking that did not know of “Moses” who came at night and left before morning and took with her another bale of “black wool” [8].
Reference List edit
- ^ Lubell, Samuel. White and Black New York; Harper & Row Publishers,1964. Print. 19
- ^ Stampp, Kenneth M.The Peculiar Institution New York: A Division of Random House, Inc, 1956. Print. 111
- ^ www.crf-usa.org/black-history-month/slavery-in-the-american-south
- ^ Buckmaster, Henrietta. Let My People Go Beacon Paperback, 1959. Print. 116
- ^ Hatt, Christine. Slavery From Africa to the Americas New York: Peter Bedrick Books, 1997. Print 42
- ^ Winkler, Allan M., Linda Reed, Elisabeth Perry, Andrew Cayton. America: Pathways to the Present. Boston: Upper Saddle River,2007. Print. 368.
- ^ Winkler, Allan M., Linda Reed, Elisabeth Perry, Andrew Cayton. America: Pathways to the Present. Boston: Upper Saddle River,2007. Print. 322-3.
- ^ Buckmaster, Henrietta. Let My People Go Beacon Paperback, 1959. Print. 116