Dr. Steven Hahn discusses through multiple points and resources the political views of American slaves during Lincoln’s presidency. Hahm references personal accounts, historical events, and political agendas to discuss the argument of what slaves thought of Lincoln. Hahn’s discussion commences with the Lincoln’s election spring 1861. The first argument is that even without any political power the slaves throughout the nation knew that Lincoln opposed slavery. This was due to the word of mouth and hearing their owners discuss their opposition towards Lincoln’s political agenda. Spring 1961whites in Virginia claimed that slaves in Alabama proclaimed that Lincoln would set them free and began to make preparations to aid him; this also happened
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Steven Hahn by allowing historians to see how those who belittled the slaves depicted their message. With all of these accounts, it is clear that when Lincoln was first elected that the slaves believed and supported his presidency even when they knew about his political agenda. Further evidence that supports Hahn’s claims of the slaves support to Lincoln is the political actor amongst the African American community during this time. Although that little evidence is left to support this, Hahm argues that what few claims exist they come in a variety of forms. These include accounts from slaves that escaped up north; slaves post civil war, testimonies made at the state and congressional trials by slaves, and speeches. Slowly the slaves became restless over the 18th century. 1822 Demark Vesey planned a slave revolt in Charleston, South Carolina. Slaves in 1849 believed that if Harrison became president would give them their freedom. Also, the discussion of slavery in other nations was spoken about. France lost the colony of San Domingue to the largest slave revolt in history; England had the Baptist War in Jamaica that involved 60,000 of their 300,000
Steven Hahn by allowing historians to see how those who belittled the slaves depicted their message. With all of these accounts, it is clear that when Lincoln was first elected that the slaves believed and supported his presidency even when they knew about his political agenda. Further evidence that supports Hahn’s claims of the slaves support to Lincoln is the political actor amongst the African American community during this time. Although that little evidence is left to support this, Hahm argues that what few claims exist they come in a variety of forms. These include accounts from slaves that escaped up north; slaves post civil war, testimonies made at the state and congressional trials by slaves, and speeches. Slowly the slaves became restless over the 18th century. 1822 Demark Vesey planned a slave revolt in Charleston, South Carolina. Slaves in 1849 believed that if Harrison became president would give them their freedom. Also, the discussion of slavery in other nations was spoken about. France lost the colony of San Domingue to the largest slave revolt in history; England had the Baptist War in Jamaica that involved 60,000 of their 300,000