The history of the United States (to 1865) was dramatically
impacted by the issue of slavery. A wide range of social,
economic, political, religious and moral perspectives created
a volatile environment. Answer each of these questions
related to slavery. You may write or type this
assignment. Due Date: Juniors--
Seniors--
1. Review the following information related to the
monetary investment/significance of slavery from C-SPAN "The Monetary Importance of Slavery"
By
1840, cotton exports were more valuable than all other exports
of the US combined--including agriculture, manufactured goods
and natural resources.
By
1860, the monetary value of slaves was greater than the value
of all the nation's railroads, banks and factories combined.
Using this data and other
materials for substantiation -- Explain the statement:
Slavery was an economic institution and social system that
shaped the lives of African-Americans and Whites throughout
the United States.
2. From information in
your textbook and/or the Digital History textbook AND two primary sources for each
issue (American
Spirit or others--citations required)
·
Provide an overview of the Northern Abolitionist Perspective
·
Provide an overview of the Southern Proslavery Perspective
3. Slavery through the eyes and words of the oppressed. Visit
this website
*Slave Narratives 1682-1937 http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/black_voices/black_voices.cfm
(SCROLL DOWN TO BELOW THE SECTION The Aftermath of
Slavery READ ONE SELECTION FROM Four
Sections--your choice except do not use Emancipation.
For each:
list the title/author, summarize the narrative, evaluate the "reality
of the narrative" and discuss your emotional response.
3B> Take a few moments to read the lyrics and listen to the
music from a famous song used by escaping slaves to chart their
course
http://www.contemplator.com/america/gourd.html
Then read
the following information
http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/planetarium/ftdg1.htm
From a
SLAVES' perspective--explain the rationale, psychological
significance and probability of success provided by this song
-
Assuming that Compromise was crucial to temporarily defusing
the "slave issue", cite the:
-
Define Popular Sovereignty and evaluate its
impact upon the slavery question. Discuss a specific
historical event to prove your point.
-
Literature and Slavery.
Visit the website:
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/hypertex.html or
http://xroads.virginia.edu CLICK
ON THE HYPERTEXTS OR THE DIRECT LINKS BELOW
Art is often described as the mirror of any age. Read the required
excerpt from "Uncle Tom's Cabin" AND TWO of
the other four sources:
Required: Uncle
Tom's Cabin (1852) : Read Chapter 30:
assess the reality of the portrayal and react to the content
from an abolitionist AND proslavery perspective. If the
link provided is not operative, visit
http://www.bibliomania.com/0/0/48/91/frameset.html
Select TWO:
Uncle
Remus: Legends of the Old Planatation
by Joel Chandler Harris
Select One story and analyze its possible significance to the
enslaved and (if appropriate) the portrayal of the slave
owner. I might suggest
Why the Negro is Black
Negro Spirituals
by Thomas Wentworth Higginson.
Select ONE "spiritual" and discuss its relationship to the
circumstance of slavery and the psychological well being of
the slaves.
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
by Harriet Jacobs.
Read the introduction by J. Adams, the preface by the author
and one chapter of your choice. Share your insights and
observations.
Our Nig
by Harriet Wilson.
Read the author's preface and the last page of Chapter
Four. Comment on the issue of reality in this novel.
7. Find one current event
related to slavery existing in the world today and one
current event related to the concept of slave reparations in the
United States. Print each article and briefly summarize the
key points.
Be prepared to discuss some of the diverse aspects of the
issue of slavery in the United States including:
-
The lives of the enslaved and their attempts to survive,
maintain their humanity and/or escape.
-
The various responses to slavery, from radical abolitionism to
the defense of slavery as a positive good.
-
Why did the abolitionists have such a great impact even though
they were an unpopular minority?
Most important (actual test question):