They say if you don’t learn from history you are bound to repeat it.
Go back to America in the early to mid-1800s. Although newly formed as a nation, we were already divided on what would become an issue that led to a very bloody war. Slavery.
The Northern States saw slavery as being contradictory to the ideals and principles upon which they had fought the Revolutionary War and sought the gradual emacipation of slaves. In the South, however, the slave population was much larger and played a key role in their economic success. More slaves=more profit from free labor. White males believed they should not be subject to the hard labor of harvesting cotton, tobacco, and rice. Hence, we went to Africa, rounded up a whole herd of blacks, shipped them here under awful circumstances, and if they lived, subjected them to even more awful working conditions. Slaves in the lower south were often not fed, housed, or cared for well, if at all. They were not allowed to read or write. They were not allowed to leave their plantations. Slave patrols were set up to canvas the area and look out for runaways. The cost was often your life if you dared to run or the life of your family or in the least a very severe beating.The slaves were treated as animals, property to be bought and sold, and as lower then the whites. (Source: Slavery In The Civil War Era) Here is another description of what it was like to be a slave in early America:
The life of a slave was a life of hard work. Most slaves worked from sun-up to sundown, six days a week. Some slaves worked in the “master’s” home cleaning, cooking, or taking care of the children. Most slaves worked in fields, planting or picking corn, tobacco, or cotton.
Slaves lived in small wooden shacks. They had one set of clothes, which they wore until they couldn’t mend them any more. The slave owner fed them the least expensive food available – usually corn meal or grits. Meat was a special treat reserved for holidays.
Slaves were made to work by “overseers.” These were men who managed the slaves and beat them if they did not work hard enough. (Source)
White owners kept their slaves from being educated, threatened, and beat them to keep them under their control and ensure that their slaves did not try to escape. And still, slaves attempted to escape-even if it meant their life. A vast network rose up-The Underground Railroad-to help slaves escape to the North. The network consisted mostly of individuals that helped move slaves from the South to the North where they would be free. Estimates indicate that the South lost of 100,00 slaves to the Underground Railroad between 1810 and 1850. (Source: PBS) However, the Southern plantation owners were smart and by keeping their slaves un-educated and not allowing them to speak, they could keep them from identifying themselves as slaves. Harriet Tubman, an abolitionist who was key in the Underground Railroad said, “I freed a thousand slaves I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.” (Quote)
While in highschool, I had the unique opportunity to experience a reenactment of the Underground Railroad. It took place at night and despite the fact that I knew I would go home in a few hours, it was very real and very scary. I have never gotten over experiencing being yelled at at, marched in a single file line, chased down the road by barking dogs and fake guns, and listening to people explain the dangers of attempting an escape. The slaves who escaped were told to look for the light in the houses and there they could find a safe place in which to rest and eat.
That light of hope was cast in another profound way in 1860 with the election of President Abraham Lincoln. He despised slavery and the North saw this as an opportunity to defeat the evil practice of slavery. Abolitionists pressed him to outlaw slavery, and the Southern states got nervous. Finally, over fear of losing their labor and livelihoods, the South suceded from the Union, and war began.
While historians argue over the reasons for the Civil War, there can be no doubt that slavery was an issue that played heavily into the war. It was not the only reason, but it was a reason. (Source) States rights and other economic concerns also played into a war that has become the bloodiest war we have ever fought. Brother fighting against brother, this war and all that it stood for are a part of our history we would do well to not forget. With the signing of The Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, slaves were given the hope that they would be free. And as the war ended, we see the practice of slavery outlawed in the USA.
The 13th amendment of the US Constitution reads, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”
In addition, Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 1584, makes it a Federal crime or offense for anyone to willfully hold another person in involuntary servitude. (source)
While slavery was now outlawed, the road to equality in America would be paved with more bloodshed and violence. While African-Americans were now free, they were not considered equals. They were not seen as victims to a heinous crime, but as criminals and individuals that were unworthy to ride on our buses, eat at our tables, or drink from our water fountains. It took a group of people led by Martin Luther King, Jr. to finally win civil rights for black Americans in 1968-almost 100 years after slavery was outlawed and “freedom” was gained.
It is year 2011. How well have we remembered 1865? Stay tuned for part 2 of this discussion.
