Causes DBQ In America during the period 1776 to 1852, slavery was a large, prominent part of society. In the South it was important to the agriculture industry. This industry was what drove Southern society; Southern families relied heavily on it and on their slaves to support themselves. Even though there was a desire to keep slavery in American society from 1776 to 1852, there were many underlying forces and specific events that caused a growing opposition to slavery. This opposition was influenced by the media, by religious ideas of slavery, and by the measures people would take to support freedom of African-Americans. Before and sporadically throughout the period of 1776 to 1852, there was a need among Americans, especially southern
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Emancipation was very gradual in the United States, as seen in the map in Document A. When the number of free colored people in the U.S. increased, segregation supporters despised the idea of African-Americans living among society. Many of these supporters were not necessarily in support of slavery, and more of them wanted Africans to be free in Africa. They wished to colonize Africa and send slaves back to their country (Doc D.) More proof of the prevalent opposition to abolition is seen in Document H, which uses the point of view of a white Congressman, in support of slavery. Some Americans such as David Wilmot saw slavery as the right or “privilege” of white men. Many of them have no “morbid sympathy for the slave.” Although there were many instances of a support of slavery in this time period, there were undoubtedly more instances of opposition to slavery, and the support of abolishing the act. Americans went to great lengths to support the abolition movement. Blacks who wished to flee slavery were supported financially, as abolitionists gave money to blacks who wanted to buy their freedom (Doc C.) Slaves …show more content…
There were books about slave life that detailed the poor conditions that slaves worked and lived in. They produced in Americans’ minds images of the terror and stress that was constantly put on a slave. A very popular book that achieved this was Uncle Tom’s Cabin, with 270,000 volumes sold (Doc J). Around the time of 1851, many slaves tried to escape the plantations to reach freedom. Many of them were able to flee to freedom through the Underground Railroad, which was a system led by free ex-slaves and abolitionists such as Harriet Tubman. It was a strenuous but worthy journey for slaves. There were abolitionists whose homes served as safe houses for fugitive slaves. An issue during this time was that “kidnappers and slave catchers” would take escaping slaves back to their plantations, back to slavery. Escaping slaves were warned of this through the media; a street poster in 1851 warned “colored people of Boston” to “keep a sharp look out for KIDNAPPERS and have TOP EYE open,” (Doc I). This Document shows the purpose of showing how abolitionists warned and wished to ensure the safety of fleeing African-Americans. Books such as Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and other media like the street poster can be seen as propaganda. It uses the media to evoke feelings in people to take action on the issue of slavery; it also shows people the reality and true danger of slavery. This strategy aided in
Emancipation was very gradual in the United States, as seen in the map in Document A. When the number of free colored people in the U.S. increased, segregation supporters despised the idea of African-Americans living among society. Many of these supporters were not necessarily in support of slavery, and more of them wanted Africans to be free in Africa. They wished to colonize Africa and send slaves back to their country (Doc D.) More proof of the prevalent opposition to abolition is seen in Document H, which uses the point of view of a white Congressman, in support of slavery. Some Americans such as David Wilmot saw slavery as the right or “privilege” of white men. Many of them have no “morbid sympathy for the slave.” Although there were many instances of a support of slavery in this time period, there were undoubtedly more instances of opposition to slavery, and the support of abolishing the act. Americans went to great lengths to support the abolition movement. Blacks who wished to flee slavery were supported financially, as abolitionists gave money to blacks who wanted to buy their freedom (Doc C.) Slaves …show more content…
There were books about slave life that detailed the poor conditions that slaves worked and lived in. They produced in Americans’ minds images of the terror and stress that was constantly put on a slave. A very popular book that achieved this was Uncle Tom’s Cabin, with 270,000 volumes sold (Doc J). Around the time of 1851, many slaves tried to escape the plantations to reach freedom. Many of them were able to flee to freedom through the Underground Railroad, which was a system led by free ex-slaves and abolitionists such as Harriet Tubman. It was a strenuous but worthy journey for slaves. There were abolitionists whose homes served as safe houses for fugitive slaves. An issue during this time was that “kidnappers and slave catchers” would take escaping slaves back to their plantations, back to slavery. Escaping slaves were warned of this through the media; a street poster in 1851 warned “colored people of Boston” to “keep a sharp look out for KIDNAPPERS and have TOP EYE open,” (Doc I). This Document shows the purpose of showing how abolitionists warned and wished to ensure the safety of fleeing African-Americans. Books such as Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and other media like the street poster can be seen as propaganda. It uses the media to evoke feelings in people to take action on the issue of slavery; it also shows people the reality and true danger of slavery. This strategy aided in