Slavery Portrayal by Douglass - Essay Example

?Frederick Douglass Essay Assignment Introduction The history of slavery can be traced back in ancient times. Several historians attested that slave labor was originated from warfare wherein the captives were found to be more profitable to enslave rather than to kill them. However, in American, slavery was introduced and influenced by the European settlers. At first, Native Americans were exploited as slaves until the settlers learned to import African slaves. The purpose was to supply the increasing demand in slave labor and trading because it proved to have several economic advantages. In the first half of the nineteenth century, the institution of slavery had affected all the Americans – whether they were white or black, Northern or Southern, slave or free. During this period, the status and treatment to the slaves were very drastic and degrading. They were considered merely as chattels or pieces of property. They had only few legal rights, but, the most tragic scenario was the situation of other slaves who had no rights at all. Most of them lives and belonged to their “Masters” wherein they can be sold or leased in the public slave markets. The owners also controlled their lives in which they were the ones who decide on how they (slaves) spent their free time and whether they get married or not. The worst, once the parents were slaves, their children were also expected to become slaves and taken by their “Master” when they big enough to be utilized in agriculture, industry, commerce, domestic service, and/or armed forces. Due to this legal, social, economic and racial discrimination and prejudices suffered by the slaves, several anti-slavery movement and revolts began to develop to end their misery and to safeguard their basic human rights. And one of the most notable and influential figures in the abolition of slavery during the nineteenth century was Frederick Douglass, who was born to a family of African-American slaves and also became as slave himself as young as seven years old. Douglass escaped from slavery and began to advocate racial equality and black freedom from being slavery doomed. Discussion Slavery both existed in the North and South America. But, since the abolition of slavery in the North during the colonial period, the South had become the haven of slave labor due to the introduction and emergence of large-scale cotton plantation farms. Cotton became the world’s largest and represented as America’s biggest and most important export. It replaced sugar as the major crop. In fact, three-fourths of the world’s cotton supply came from the southern region. It was considered by the South as their “white gold” (Foner, 2006, 378) because it significantly boosted the economic status of the entire America wherein the sales earned from the cotton industry had allowed the country to pay for imported manufactured goods (Foner, 379). Since, the economy was centered on the production of cotton, the South, which happened to have abundant fertile farms applicable for cotton farming, had become the center of New World slavery. The South was also considered as the largest and most powerful slave society (Foner, 378) which adversely affected both the African American slaves and the poor American whites in the region. Effects of slavery in the South to the African-American Slavery in the South had adversely affected the African-American slaves. First, the African-Americans were subjected to racial discrimination wherein the White Americans believed that they were supreme and their black counterparts were the innately inferior. Further, they declared that true equality for them (whites) was manifested by being free from “low, menial, unskilled jobs” in which they emphasized that these jobs were only fitted for the blacks. Slavery was for the blacks and means their existence was to perform all kinds of work in the plantation all throughout the day with only brief break for meals. They were only fed for the reason to become more productive rather than any reasons (Foner, 2006, 395). The system of maintaining order and disciple had rested on force. At worst, if the slaves committed even minor mistakes the overseers of the owners have been authorized to punish them or gave them harsh treatment. The overseers were commonly brutal, cruel, and speak heartlessness (Foner, 396). Douglass (2005, 83-84) had witnessed himself the wickedness of slavery. Their Master had never interacted when a young women was cruelly abused and beaten by his overseer instead he told that the poor girl deserved it. The black families were enslaved and all the things they have including their house and the lot where it stood belonged to their “Old Master” (Douglass, 2005, 39). But, the most devastating was the fact that all the family members belonged to the Master (Douglass, 40). The children would be taken and worked to their Masters when they become big enough to handle slave labor. The children of the slave parents could be sold away from one another at any time the slaveholders wanted to without any warning. Slave traders gave little attention to preserving family ties (Foner, 399). Slavery made the siblings stranger from one another because they were separated by their owners during their childhood and without any intention to bring them back to their families (Douglas, 2005, 49). Slavery trade was rampant during this period; the traders have even advertised and auctioned their black slaves in the public slaves markets. It was indeed a very profitable trade because even the southern banks allowed slave traders to loan and finance the business. Likewise, the government also took share by taxing the sale of slaves (Foner, 2006, 380). As Douglass (2005, 45) narrated in his autobiography, although he already knew that he would be like his mother – to be a slave, he was only around seven years old when that time came. He left his homeland to live in the plantation of a certain Col. Edward Lloyd. Although, he did not suffered the difficulties of the many imported African slaves during the early century, i.e. suffering from disease, malnutrition, and suffocation during the travel but, he needed to endure the long walk which was about twelve miles away. But, when he arrived in the plantation, Douglass had suffered all the devastating treatment such as whipping, working without any food (Douglas, 55) and stayed in uncomfortable and indecent sleeping apartments with only one blanket as their protection from heat and cold (Douglass, 103). The slave owners also controlled the lives of their slaves such they were the ones who would decide whether their slaves get married or not. The slave couples, in order to perform their wedding ceremony needed first to seek the consent and permission of their Master. It was only then, that their marriage would be recognized legal. However, the marriage vow was never a guaranty to be freed from slavery trade (Foner, 2006, 398). The slaves were also powerless, wherein the women were forced to work in the field rather than to stay at home. Meanwhile, the slave men could not also practiced their being as a husband and father. They worked for their Masters and were not providers of their families. The worst, they could not even protect their wives from their owners even they were physically and sexually abused (Foner, 400). The black slaves were also not given the right to gather in a group without the presence of a white person (Foner, 387). In fact, the slaves’ owners viewed religion as another mean of social control. They required the slaves to attend services conducted by white ministers (Foner, 400). Effects of slavery in the South to the poor white Americans The poor white Americans were not also exempted from the adverse effects of slavery in the South. Many of them owned no slaves, out of four white southerners, only 1 has slaves. The small white farmers usually live in hilly areas, wherein cotton production was not suited for since; the best lands were monopolized by the wealthy white planters. Due to financial constraint, the poor whites were obligated to work and till their land among their family member rather than hiring slaves. Since, gathering and shipping of cottons were held in the large cities in the South, most of the southern poor white farmers were isolated in the remote areas. They lived lives of economic self-sufficiency were they raised livestock and grew their own food for their families. They also lacked access to free public education wherein they end up being illiterate. The poor whites also experienced from being insulted by the influential planters. Although, they rented slaves from the planters, these whites also obligated to regularly elect slave owners in the public offices in the South (Foner, 382-383). Resistance to Slavery Due to the degrading maltreatment, prejudices and discrimination suffered by the African-Americans several resistance strategies to their cruel Masters have emerged. These include several forms of resistance, escape to the North (fugitive slave), slave revolts, and the Nat Turner’s rebellion. The most common form of resistance was the “silent sabotage” or the day-to-day resistance to revenge their Masters. This usually includes the breaking of tools, doing poor work, abusing the animals and disrupting the plantation routine. In several situations the slaves were also silently involved in stealing of foods, removing rails from fences, flatting a boat and set it drift in the river, ordered to cart rails for anew fence, and depositing in order to double expense of labor. To avoid works on Sunday, the slaves also pretended to have or suffering from illness. But, the most serious form of silent sabotage, although only few cases were reported included the poisoning the master, arson and armed assaults (Foner, 403). The slaves have also learned to escape or runaway from their Masters. Although, they only have little knowledge in geography, the slaves learned to follow the North Star as their guide and way to freedom. It was estimated that annually there were 1000 slaves who escaped and succeeded to reach the North region. In the Deep South, the fugitive slaves often escaped to the southern cities like New Orleans or Charleston, to blend in with the free black population. There were also who chose to take a route at the remote areas like Great Dismal Swamp of Virginia or in the Florida Everglades and then moved to the west. The Underground Railroad was an organization which was established by the abolitionist in order to help the slaves in escaping. The members of the group hid the slaves and then assist them to the next station until they were totally freed from slavery. The trips however could be as long as impossible like what had happen to Harriet Tubman who made 20 trips to reach Maryland - but most importantly to attain her freedom. However, not all fugitive slaves were successful and one of this had included the Amistad in 1839. The escape was composed of 53 slaves which was caught by the American coast guards while on board (Foner, 404) The slaves have also formulated several revolts to end their situation. The first revolt was organized by the Virginia slave Gabriel in 1800. Then an uprising was also held on the sugar plantation upriver in New Orleans in 1811. The revolt was composed of around 700 men and women slaves who marched towards the city and destroyed properties as they proceeded. They were armed with their farm tools such as sugarcane knives, axes, clubs, but, few of them have carried guns. However, they were faced by the militia and the regular army troops which led to the death of 66 slaves. Through the initiation of Denmark Vesey, a revolt of slave carpenters was also held in Charleston, South Carolina in 1822. Due to this Vesey was charged with conspiracy and executed in South Carolina (Foner, 405). In July 4, 1831, Nat Turner, a slave preacher and religious mystic in Southampton County, Virginia, and his followers had organized a rebellion. In fact, this was considered as the best known and the last largest-scale of slave rebels in southern history. The rebels marched through the farm of Virginia and attacked white farm families. Because, most of the men in the area went to attend a religious revival across the border in North Carolina, most of the assault victims were children and women. Before the militia rescued, about sixty whites have been killed. Turner and the other rebels were captured and executed. The aftermath of the rebellion, left a shock waves throughout the South. In Virginia they started to discuss emancipating its slaves although they failed to get enough votes in the house. Further, instead of offering freedom, Virginia had even tightened and stricken their grips to slavery through formulating new laws limiting slaves’ rights. Although, the revolt and rebellion organized and held by the slaves had also resulted to positive outcome. It had become and marked the turning for the Old South as the white southerners closed ranks and prepared to defend slavery to the end (Foner, 406-407). Douglas life in the North Due to his aim to be freed from being a slave, Douglass had escaped from his Master. However, his escape was never easy because he needed to undergo several challenges. As he mentioned in his autobiography that “at every gate he passed through had a watchman; at every ferry, had a guard; on every bridge, it had a sentinel; and in every wood, there was a patrol or slave-hunter” (Douglass, 283). Further, he also knew nothing about geography. Hence, he really did not know where he was going. But, according to him the North Star served as hid guide to the North. He also needed to withstand the cold and heat weather as well as starvation since he knew no one in his way to his liberty. Although, Douglass has still suffered several miseries before his being a slave had ended. Finally, after suffering from all the odds, he then became as freeman in New York City (Douglass, 338). His life drastically changed when he met a certain person named Stewart. The warm-hearted and generous man helped him to get out of his trouble. He saved him from starvation, from being penniless and most especially provided him a safe place to stay. Stewart had also referred him to David Ruggles, who was the secretary of the New York Vigilance Committee and an active anti-slavery man (341). Then, this man had also helped him to hide and directed him to safer place – in the New Bedford. In this place, Douglass had already exercised his regular rights, responsibilities and duties as a freeman (342). In his way to this place, a certain man named Nathan Johnson had also come to rescue him. In this place he lived a totally different life, he worked not as a slave, but he worked for a living. He was also reunited with the church (351). He joined the Methodist church in the New Bedford because he found out that this Christian people have no feeling against racial discrimination (352). When he met and got to know William Lloyd Garrison, the editor of Liberator, he had become active in the abolitionist movement because he believed in the philosophy of Garrison that blacks did not damage the white society, instead the whites damaged the black society (356). Strengths of the abolitionist First, the strength of the abolitionists were the fact that most of the advocates were based on their real experience since, they themselves have also once a fugitive slaves. Hence, they knew what the slave people out there were going through. And that the movement of the abolitionists had only one unified aim- to end slavery. Further, the abolitionists especially the blacks, were started to sought an independent role within the movement in 1840 in which they could already held their own regular conventions. The voice of the black abolitionists was also given attention like Henry Highland Garnet, wherein his anti-slavery speeches were financed in order to be published in print. Another, the abolitionists have initiated legal and political battles against racial discrimination in the North and they have ended the segregation in school particularly in Massachusetts in the 1855. They have also emphasized that being a slave was a moral being and that they deserved respects and rights because they were also created in the image of God (Foner, 428). Further, these abolitionists also advocate for the end of racism, as well as women’s rights and employment rights in order to live a decent life. Weaknesses of the Abolitionists Base on the autobiography of Douglass, the only downside of being an abolitionist was the fact that they exposed and confessed their very low origin because the speeches they made was taken from his own personal experience as a slave (Douglass, 362). In the case of Douglass, he was even doubted if he was a real slave because he acted, and spoke like not once a slave. Added to this was that he withhold facts connected to his experience as a slave like withholding the names of his former masters, the name of the state and the country which he came from because he took precaution and frightened that his masters would knew where he was (362). Conclusion Indeed, the slaves should be treated equally like any other people. The maltreatment with them should be ended; hence, the government should pass and implement laws so that they could freely exercised their rights, responsibilities and duties. But, most important is to live a decent life far from prejudices and segregation of the society. References De Bow, J.D.B. “The Non-Slaveholders of the South.” Voices of Freedom: A Documentary History, Volume 1. 2nd ed. Ed. Eric Foner. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2008. 218-222. Douglass, Frederick. My Bondage and My Freedom. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2005. Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty: An American History, Volume 1. Seagull 2nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2006 Read More