Slavery_in_the_North_and_South_Pre-Civil_War

Slavery: 1775 - 1830 Slavery is one of the darkest periods of American history, and a grim reminder of our nation’s past mistakes. The institution of American slavery went through many changes in its long history, depending on location. Developments in the North eventually led to greater freedoms for slaves, while the South was dependent on slavery. During the period between 1775 and 1830, the growth of freedom in the North and the continuing growth of slavery in the South are both the results of the two regions’ contradictory responses to the changing government, economy, and social environment. The government made changes that drastically impacted the efficiency of slavery. In 1775, the British government demanded that slave must fight alongside them in the Revolutionary War. This proclamation was issued by Lord Dunmore, who ordered the slaves around as if they were the government’s property: “And I do herby further declare all indentured Servants, Negros, or others, ([belonging] to Rebel,) free that are able and willing to bear Arms, they joining His Majesty’s Troops as soon as may be” (Document A). Not only were the enslaved African-Americans being treated like property, but even the free Negros were treated inhumanely. In 1808, Congress voted to outlaw the importation of slaves. This affected the North and the South in different ways, depending on their economies. The North’s economy was based on industry and had been growing to discourage slavery. Since the North was already moving away from the slave industry, this act pushed them closer to eventual emancipation for all slaves. The South, however, had an economy dependent on slavery and they began breeding slaves as a way to increase their workforce. The government later outlawed slave trade within the States in the north. This meant that to sell slaves, northern slave-owners only had the option of moving south and selling them there. The amount of effort required to own a slave now was outweighing the benefits, resulting in a major decrease in the North, but a steady increase in the South. The economy was undoubtedly the greatest factor in the two regions’ different decisions concerning slavery. The South’s economy was based on plantations and agriculture. Plantations were the original foundation for slave labor, allowing slaves to be closely monitored and live in isolation. Slaves were often worked to death and replaced by newly imported slaves. Slave importation was eventually outlawed, forcing the South to use a different method of slavery. The individual value of slaves rose, and Southerners began breeding slaves to increase their workforce. Plantations were eventually replaced by cash-crop farming, and there was once again a rise in the need for cheap labor. In the Map of Slavery in he United States, slaves moved westward in the new expansions of the country (Document C). In the end, the slave industry still expanded as a result of the South’s slave-reliant economy. The Northern economy did not depend as desperately on slave labor as the South did. The North’s economy was based on industry. Instead of plantations, the North had many large cities and factories. Instead of using African-American men and women for cheap labor in these factories, the North took advantage of its increasingly steady supply of immigrant workers. Employers feared a rebellion from slaves frustrated by the poor working conditions they would be forced to work in. Immigrants were cheap and thought to be more practical than slaves, thus decreasing the North’s demand for slaves. In addition, slaves in the North were often closer with their masters and were given more freedom. Slaves ran errands for their masters, allowing them to talk and interact with other slaves and whites. They discussed their situations with other slaves and began to openly protest against their masters with petitions. In Paul Cuffe’s petition, he writes “we have been deprived of enjoying the profits of our labor or the advantage of inheriting estates from our parents as our neighbors the white people do” (Document B). The slaves recognized the injustice they were forced to put up with, and many swore they would one day find freedom. In David Walker’s Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World, he writes “We must and shall be free I say, in spite of you… …And woe, woe will be to you if we have to obtain our freedom by fighting” (Document J). Walker demands justice for the unfair treatment of him and his fellow people, warning that they will resort to violence if necessary. The fact that the North’s economy discouraged slavery also added to the general social environment of the two regions. Since the North was more open to liberty among slaves, many took advantage by expressing their feelings. There were also many cases of slaves buying their own freedom. Venture Smith was one of these examples (Document F). He asked his master for freedom, and “He replied that he would. I was then very happy, knowing that I was at the time able to pay part of the purchase money” (Document F). This acceptance found in the North spread throughout the region and encouraged other owners to free their slaves. Abraham Jones and Richard Allen also supported their own cause by warning their fellow sufferers that “if we are lazy and idle, the enemies of freedom plead it as a cause why we ought not to be free...” (Document E). Many Whites viewed other races as inferior, but the Blacks hoped to overcome this by consistently working hard. The Religion was a source of hope for slaves who sought freedom. Slaves often referred to the Exodus, the story of the Hebrew’s escape to freedom, as a sign that the Lord would one day free them. In the South, African-American’s had access to a monopolized system of churches, forced to go to White churches with their masters. There were cases of slave’s forming their own secret churches and finding faith in religion, such as Prosser’s Rebellion (Document G). The rebellion was organized by Gabriel, a slave whose name alone is a hopeful reference from the Bible. The rebels drew inspiration from the Bible, as well as based important decisions off of its teachings. A former member of the rebellion, Ben, explained his reasoning for the estimated success of the rebellion. “I read in my Bible where G-d says if we will worship Him we should have peace in all our land; five of you shall conquer a hundred and a hundred a thousand of our enemies” (Document G). Ben’s belief that his group could conquer his enemies proves his trust in religion, a flame of optimism that never went out in the bitter storms of captivity. The North had much more religious freedom than the South. African-Americans could participate in all-Black churches and congregations freely and openly. The depiction of the Negro Methodist Meeting in Philadelphia illustrates the joyfulness and pleasure found in religion (Document D). They harnessed these feelings and used them in their daily lives. By having these positive feelings, they were able to make it through the week much easier. Overall, the period between 1775 and 1830 was a time of changes in slavery, leading to its expansion or reduction, depending on the region, as a result from the changes in government, the economy, and the social environment. The North was seen as a symbol of freedom and haven for slaves, while the South was hostile and unfriendly to any African-Americans: enslaved or free. The North’s gradual movement away from slavery towards other methods of efficient and cheap labor was the reason behind the decrease in slave usage. The South, on the other hand, was so dependent on slavery that even laws meant to control slavery only motivated them to increase their numbers and usage of slave labor. Eventually, the slaves in both regions were completely emancipated and were able to live as free citizens, despite the segregation they would face.