Slavery and Abolition
Objective: Students will
analyze the different
perspectives on slavery during
the antebellum period.
Questions to Consider
• What were the leading arguments against
slavery in the antebellum era?
• How did the advocates of American slavery
defend the “peculiar institution”?
Objectives of Lesson
• Identify influential opponents and defenders
of American slavery and compare and contrast
their respective biographies.
• Explain the reasons given for and against the
morality and legitimacy of slavery under the
US Constitution.
• Analyze an economic argument in favor of
slavery and an opposing argument on behalf
of free labor.
William Lloyd Garrison: on the
Constitution and the Union
• William Lloyd Garrison published the first issue of the
antislavery newspaper the Liberator in 1831.
• On July 4, 1854 he publicly burned a copy of the constitution,
and declared a, “covenant with death and an agreement with
hell” because it protected the institution of slavery.
• In early speeches in 1832, he argued that the Northern states
were too afraid to challenge Southern states and constantly
attempted to compromise on the foundational issues of
freedom in exchange for peace.
• Argued that the Fugitive Slave Act was legislation that
promoted slavery because it forced men to violate their
beliefs in the North; therefore northerners were just as guilty
of slavery as Southerners.
• Referred to the slavery on native land attempting to reference
that these slaves were born in the United States and were no
longer “savages from Africa.” They were Christianized.
• He called for the North to secede from the South and
encouraged a war to resolve slavery once and for all. He
argued that the existence of slavery would always divide the
Union and must be dealt with.
John C. Calhoun
• Senator from South Carolina– he was a Jeffersonian Democrat
believed in rulership of the elite and believed in believed in
states rights over federal legislation.
• Slavery was a domestic institution protected by the
Constitution as property under the 5th Amendment
• Tyranny of the majority: believed that northerners were the
aggressors by attacking the southern way of life and that
Northerners would destroy the Union.
• Nullification Crisis/Tariff of Abomination: believed that
constant compromise was destroying the fabric of the United
States and called for Southern states to stand strong and
united.
Slavery is a positive good
September, 1837
response to Garrison, et al.
• Calhoun believed slavery was a positive good for
slaves. He argued that Africa was uncivilized and
therefore slavery in the United States was an
improvement for their existence.
• Suggests that slavery is better than poverty and that
slaves are cared for by the masters.
• He lays the foundation for Hammond’s mudsill
theory.
James H. Hammond
• South Carolina Senator and Governor who is a
states rights supporter
• Believe abolitionists should receive the death
penalty as traitors to the country
• Social Darwinist promoted the mudsill theory.
Mudsill theory:
• A theory that believes that inequality between races
and classes is natural and necessary for order and
progress.
• Argues that the masses are the “mudsill” foundation
of society so that others can build capital and
civilization.
• Further argues that slavery appears in many forms.
Southern slavery versus…..
• Southern slaves are hired for life and provided stability, a
home, and all their basic needs (well compensated)– honest
system of labor. Utilizes an inferior race so slave owners are
improving the plight of the African (borrows from Calhoun’s
“positive good”)
• Northern slaves are called “wage laborers”; they are hired by
the day so they have no long-term stability- they are not cared
for and are “scantily compensated” leading to starvation,
homelessness, beggary, and degredation.
• Northern slaves are white and European immigrants,
therefore white elitist capitalists are enslaving their own race–
men who are equal to the capitalists in natural rights.
Ends speech with a threat:
• Northern “slaves” have political power– if they
ever organized their political voice, they would
dominate the political situation in the north
and could restructure the country– suggests a
Marxist overthrow.
• Threat: since you send abolitionists down
here to attack us, we should send lecturers
and agitators north to organize and educate
the laborers and overthrow you instead.
Abraham Lincoln
• Not an abolitionist– did not want to discard the
Constitution and the 5th Amendment because he believed
in the sacredness of the constitution.
• Believed gradual emancipation by prohibition in western
territories.
• Early promotion of colonization of blacks in Liberia or other
region (send them home? Or colonize a region of South
America) Knew this was contrary to blacks born in the U.S.
• Struggled with what to do because he believed white
hostility towards black Americans would always be a
problem within society.
• Did not believe in the equality of the races
• “I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been, in
favor of bringing about in any way the social and
political equality of the white and black races,”
• He went on to say that he opposed blacks having the
right to vote, to serve on juries, to hold office and to
intermarry with whites. What he did believe was
that, like all men, blacks had the right to improve
their condition in society and to enjoy the fruits of
their labor. In this way they were equal to white men,
and for this reason slavery was inherently unjust.
Wisconsin State Agriculture Society
Speech delivered 1859
• Countered the Mudsill Theory and the Labor
Theory of Value socialism argument.
• Suggested the American Dream is to get a job,
save money, start your own business and then
hire apprentices to repeat the cycle.
• Offers economic hope to the impoverished
and the enslaved.
House Divided Speech
Frederick Douglas
• Frederick Douglas was the greatest of the
Black Abolitionists.
• He had escaped from slavery in 1838.
• Former slave
• Practical
• Political solution
Domestic Slave Trade
• The following is just a portion of Article 1
Section 9 of the US Constitution.
• The Migration or Importation of such Persons
as any of the States now existing shall think
proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the
Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight
hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be
imposed on such Importation, not exceeding
ten dollars for each Person.
Domestic Slave Trade
• The US Constitution was constructed through a
series of compromises.
• Article 1 Section 9 illustrates such a compromise.
• The Framers attempted to appease both sides of the
slavery conflict by outlawing the international trade
or US participation in the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade.
• One of the beliefs of the time was that slavery would
die out.
• The following maps show that they were wrong.
Nat Turner
• Rebellion in 1831
• South Hampton,
Virginia
• 55 whites (mostly
women and children)
are murdered
• Turner has prophetic
visions throughout his
life
• Conspirators are
executed
• Compares African
American slaves to
Israelites
• Turner’s visions lead
him to believe that he is
like Moses.
• Believes that he needs
to lead his fellow slaves
out of captivity
• Also is inspired by
events in Haiti and men
like Toussaint L’Overture
Repercussions
•
•
•
•
Black Codes are heightened
Restrictions on worship
Must have a white minister
Cannot gather in public or private places in
large numbers
• Stricter and harsher enforcement of the
education of African American slaves
• Literacy of a slave leads to an enlightened and
questioning slave
Repercussions
• Will heighten the stress and anxiety of the Southern
white society
• Lead the white population to be fearful and overly
harsh
• White population becomes even more ardent in the
defense of slavery
• Whites are contemptuous of Northern Abolitionists
• Believe that ultimately abolition and abolitionist are
the greatest threat to their way of life.
“Every Generation Needs A New
Revolution”
Thomas Jefferson
John Brown:
Terrorist or Freedom Fighter?
• In 1856, he took violent and deadly actions at
Pottawatomie Creek, Kansas
• Killed five pro-slaverites in Kansas
• His actions increased tensions in an already
contentious and volatile territory
• In 1858, he planned and executed a slave
rebellion at Harpers Ferry
• Harpers Ferry is the largest federal arsenal in
the Union.
Reaction
• Brown’s raid failed
• He was caught and many of his conspirators were
killed during the raid
• They held out for two days but were eventually
caught by forces lead by Robert E. Lee
• Brown was executed and his death resonated
throughout the North
• Likewise Brown’s actions resonated throughout the
South
Worship of the North
Origin and Description of the
Worship of the North
Title
Caption
Creator
Date
Description
The Worship of the North
Worship of the North
Volck, Adalbert John [Johann] (1828-1912)
1861; 1864; 1862; 1863; 1864
In an elaborate scene of idol worship, Northern leaders are shown sacrificing a white man to a shrine of
The Negro. A black man sits atop this shrine, labeled "Chicago Platform, " with carved busts of Lincoln as
a serpent carved into its base. Henry Ward Beecher uses a sacrificial knife, Charles Sumner holds a torch,
and Horace Greeley holds a censer from which snakes slither. John Brown, with a pike, is represented as
St. Ossawatomie. General H.W. Halleck, General Winfield Scott, General David Hunter, Governor John
Andrew of Massachusetts; and Harriet Beecher Stowe are all present in the crowd.
Underground Railroad
Underground Railroad
• Organization that aided runaway slaves
• Was not a formal organization as we
understand the term
• Was a series of safe house that provided
shelter, food and clothing to runaways
• Most famous “conductor” was Harriet Tubman
• She was a runaway slave and made hundreds
of trips into the south to aid in the escape of
runaway slaves.
Significance and Symbolism
• Gave expression to active resistance to slavery
• Revealed harsh realities of slavery
• Expression of African American culture and
philosophy
• Refuted the notion that African American’s
were incapable of organization on a large scale
• Allowed for white abolitionists to aid African
American slaves in their quest for freedom
“Go Down Moses” reproduced by Louis Armstrong’s
Go down Moses
Way down in Egypt land
Tell ole Pharaoh
To let my people go
When Israel was in Egypt land
Let my people go
Oppressed so hard they could not stand
“Thus spoke the Lord,” bold Moses said
“If not, I’ll smite your first born dead
Let my people go
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home,
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
I looked over Jordan, and what did I see
Coming for to carry me home?
A band of angels coming after me,
Coming for to carry me home.
Chorus
Sometimes I'm up, and sometimes I'm down,
(Coming for to carry me home)
But still my soul feels heavenly bound.
(Coming for to carry me home)
Chorus
The brightest day that I can say,
(Coming for to carry me home)
When Jesus washed my sins away.
(Coming for to carry me home)
Chorus
If I get there before you do,
(Coming for to carry me home)
I'll cut a hole and pull you through.
(Coming for to carry me home)
Chorus
If you get there before I do,
(Coming for to carry me home)
Tell all my friends I'm coming too.
(Coming for to carry me home)
Chorus "chorus
Frederick Douglas:
“The Meaning of July Fourth for
the Negro?”
• Fellow Citizens, I am not wanting in respect for
the fathers of this republic. The signers of the
Declaration of Independence were brave men.
They were great men, too Ñ great enough to
give frame to a great age. It does not often
happen to a nation to raise, at one time, such
a number of truly great men.
The point from which I am compelled to view
them is not, certainly, the most favorable; and
yet I cannot contemplate their great deeds with
less than admiration. They were statesmen,
patriots and heroes, and for the good they did,
and the principles they contended for, I will
unite with you to honor their memory....
• ...Fellow-citizens, pardon me, allow me to ask,
why am I called upon to speak here to-day?
What have I, or those I represent, to do with
your national independence? Are the great
principles of political freedom and of natural
justice, embodied in that Declaration of
Independence, extended to us? and am I,
therefore, called upon to bring our humble
offering to the national altar, and to confess
the benefits and express devout gratitude for
the blessings resulting from your
independence to us?
• Would to God, both for your sakes and ours,
that an affirmative answer could be truthfully
returned to these questions! Then would my
task be light, and my burden easy and
delightful. For who is there so cold, that a
nation's sympathy could not warm him? Who
so obdurate and dead to the claims of
gratitude, that would not thankfully
acknowledge such priceless benefits?
• Who so stolid and selfish, that would not give
his voice to swell the hallelujahs of a nation's
jubilee, when the chains of servitude had
been torn from his limbs? I am not that man.
In a case like that, the dumb might eloquently
speak, and the "lame man leap as an hart."
• But such is not the state of the case. I say it
with a sad sense of the disparity between us. I
am not included within the pale of glorious
anniversary! Your high independence only
reveals the immeasurable distance between
us. The blessings in which you, this day,
rejoice, are not enjoyed in
• common. The rich inheritance of justice,
liberty, prosperity and independence,
bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you,
not by me. The sunlight that brought light and
healing to you, has brought stripes and death
to me. This Fourth July is yours, not mine. You
may rejoice, I must mourn. To drag a man in
fetters into the grand illuminated temple of
liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous
anthems, were inhuman mockery and
sacrilegious irony.
• Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking
me to speak to-day? If so, there is a parallel to
your conduct. And let me warn you that it is
dangerous to copy the example of a nation
whose crimes, towering up to heaven, were
thrown down by the breath of the Almighty,
burying that nation in irrevocable ruin! I can
to-day take up the plaintive lament of a
peeled and woe-smitten people!
• "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down.
Yea! we wept when we remembered Zion. We
hanged our harps upon the willows in the
midst thereof. For there, they that carried us
away captive, required of us a song; and they
who wasted us required of us mirth, saying,
Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How can we
sing the Lord's song in a strange land? If I
forget thee, 0 Jerusalem, let my right hand
forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee,
let my tongue cleave to the roof of my
mouth."
• Fellow-citizens, above your national,
tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of
millions! whose chains, heavy and grievous
yesterday, are, to-day, rendered more
intolerable by the jubilee shouts that reach
them. If I do forget, if I do not faithfully
remember those bleeding children of sorrow
this day, "may my right hand forget her
cunning, and may my tongue cleave to the
roof of my mouth!"
• To forget them, to pass lightly over their
wrongs, and to chime in with the popular
theme, would be treason most scandalous
and shocking, and would make me a reproach
before God and the world. My subject, then,
fellow-citizens, is American slavery. I shall see
this day and its popular characteristics from
the slave's point of view.
• Standing there identified with the American
bondman, making his wrongs mine, I do not
hesitate to declare, with all my soul, that the
character and conduct of this nation never
looked blacker to me than on this 4th of July!
Whether we turn to the declarations of the
past, or to the professions of the present, the
conduct of the nation seems equally hideous
and revolting. America.is false to the past,
false to the present, and solemnly binds
herself to be false to the future.
• Standing with God and the crushed and
bleeding slave on this occasion, I will, in the
name of humanity which is outraged, in the
name of liberty which is fettered, in the name
of the constitution and the Bible which are
disregarded and trampled upon, dare to call in
question and to denounce, with all the
emphasis I can command, everything that
serves to perpetuate slavery Ñ the great sin
and shame of America!
• "I will not equivocate; I will not excuse"; I will
use the severest language I can command;
and yet not one word shall escape me that any
man, whose judgment is not blinded by
prejudice, or who is not at heart a slaveholder,
shall not confess to be right and just.
Dred Scott
• http://www.c-span.org/video/?2956761/dred-scott-case-paul-finkelman
Epithet of John Jack
• Here's the tombstone epitaph he wrote:
• God wills us free
Man wills us slaves
Gods will be done
Here lies the body of John Jack,
Native of Africa. Who died March 1773
Aged about sixty years
Tho' born in a land of slaves
He was born free
Tho' he lived in a land of liberty
He lived a slave,
Epithet of John Jack
• Till by his honest tho' stolen labour
He acquired the source of slavery
Which gave him his freedom;
Tho' not long before
Death the grand tyrant
gave him his final emancipation,
and put him on a footing with kings
Tho' a slave to vice
He practiced those virtues
Without which kings are but slaves. "