Lecture Notes: The History of Slavery and Abolition in America

Introduction to Slavery

• Slavery is an ancient system of forced labor.
• In America, it began in the 17th century with the forced migration of Africans.
• Europeans manipulated African tribes into capturing each other.

Capture and Transport of Slaves

• Enslaved people were chosen for their strength and health, often aged 18-35.
• Captives endured long marches to the coast and a grueling Atlantic crossing.
• The crossing lasted 4-8 weeks under deplorable conditions.

Slavery in the American Colonies

• The first slaves arrived in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619.
• By 1763, 230,000 Africans were in the colonies, primarily as slaves in the South.
• Slavery laws prohibited slaves from many basic rights and protected owners.

Impact of the Cotton Industry

• The invention of the cotton gin in 1793 increased demand for slave labor.
• By the 19th century, there were 4 million slaves in the U.S.

Slave Culture and Resistance

• Slaves developed a unique culture through folk tales, religion, and family.
• Resistance took forms of subtle sabotage, slow work, and occasional revolts.
• Notable revolts include Nat Turner’s Rebellion in 1831.

Abolitionist Movement

• Abolitionists viewed slavery as immoral and worked to end it.
• Prominent figures included Sojourner Truth, William Lloyd Garrison, and Frederick Douglass.
• The Underground Railroad: A network aiding slave escape, led by figures like Harriet Tubman.

Key Events Leading up to the Civil War

• Dred Scott Decision (1857): Denied citizenship and rights to African Americans.
• John Brown’s Raid (1859): Failed attempt to incite slave rebellion.
• Election of Abraham Lincoln (1860): Prompted Southern secession and Civil War.

Civil War and Emancipation

• The war primarily centered on the issue of slavery.
• Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation (1862) and the 13th Amendment (1865) abolished slavery.

Post-Civil War and Reconstruction

• Reconstruction aimed to integrate freed slaves into society with rights.
• Black Americans gained voting rights but faced economic and social challenges.
• Rise of racist organizations like the Ku Klux Klan.

Legacy and Continuing Struggles

• Racism persisted despite the end of slavery.
• New leaders emerged to continue the fight for equality and civil rights.

Conclusion

• Slavery and its abolition have left a profound legacy on American society.
• The struggle for equality and recognition of African American contributions continues.