Amstud Chapter 11

Who was Frederick Douglass and what was his impact on racial equality?

Frederick Douglass was an advocate for racial equality whose autobiography and accomplishments debunked prevailing ideas of Black inferiority.

What does the term 'peculiar institution' refer to?

The term 'peculiar institution' is a phrase used by whites in the antebellum South to refer to slavery.

What was the Mason-Dixon Line?

The Mason-Dixon Line was a dividing line between slavery and freedom, originally drawn to settle a boundary dispute between Maryland and Virginia.

How did slavery impact the population in the South?

By 1830, slaves made up a third of the South's population, particularly in cotton-producing states.

What were the conditions of life for slaves in the South?

Slaves lived a life of brutal punishment and fear with few legal rights and could be sold or leased at will.

What was meant by the phrase 'Cotton is king'?

The phrase 'Cotton is king' referred to the economic power of cotton production and the slave system in the South.

What did the term 'Second Middle Passage' signify?

The 'Second Middle Passage' signified the massive internal trade of slaves from the upper South to the lower South between 1820 and 1860.

How did the Northern economy relate to the Southern slave economy?

Northerners participated in the slave economy by financing plantations and utilizing cotton for manufacturing, linking both economies.

What characterized the Southern economy's structure?

The Southern economy was heavily dependent on agriculture, particularly cotton in the lower South, and lacked industrial growth compared to the North.

Why did most white southerners not own slaves?

Most white southerners did not own slaves and instead relied on family labor and livestock.

What is paternalism in the context of slavery?

Paternalism was a moral perspective claiming that slavery was for the slaves' own good, justifying the institution.

What were the proslavery arguments in the South?

Proslavery arguments defended slavery as a positive good, citing racial superiority and asserting slavery made freedom possible for whites.

How did white southerners view international affairs regarding slavery?

White southerners took an interest in international affairs, aiming to promote slavery through American foreign policy.

How did abolitionists counter proslavery arguments?

Abolitionists highlighted the improving conditions and rising standards of living among freed slaves as evidence against slavery.

What was the experience of free blacks in the South?

Free blacks could own property and marry but lacked political rights and often faced restrictions similar to slaves.

What types of work did slaves perform on plantations?

Slaves mainly worked in fields, with many working on the Cotton Belt and enduring harsh conditions on sugar plantations.

How did slave culture help sustain slaves in bondage?

Slave culture created a semi-independent identity, allowing slaves to survive bondage while maintaining a sense of self-esteem.

What family structures existed among slaves?

Slaves aimed to create family continuity despite the lack of legal recognition for marriages and constant threats of separation.

What role did Christianity play in enslaved people's lives?

Christianity served as a method of control but also provided hope, with slaves often interpreting the Exodus story as a metaphor for their struggles.

What were fugitive slaves?

Fugitive slaves were those who escaped captivity, posing a threat to the stability of the slave system.

What was the Underground Railroad?

The Underground Railroad was a clandestine network aiding slaves in escaping to freedom in the North.

Who was Harriet Tubman?

Harriet Tubman was an escaped slave who made multiple trips to guide other slaves to freedom, demonstrating immense bravery.

What significant event occurred with the Amistad in 1839?

The Amistad was a ship seized by slaves, leading to a court case that ultimately resulted in the slaves' return to Africa.

What was Denmark Vesey's conspiracy?

Denmark Vesey's conspiracy was an 1822 failed slave uprising in Charleston, symbolizing resistance to slavery.

What was Nat Turner’s Rebellion and its consequences?

Nat Turner's Rebellion was an 1831 insurrection that resulted in heightened fears among whites and stricter laws against blacks.

How did the Southern response to Turner's Rebellion affect freedom of speech?

The reaction was a thorough suppression of freedom of speech in the South, driven by fears of further insurrections.

What were some reforms in the North regarding slavery?

Reform movements in the North condemned slavery for being against Christian and American values, stirring national debates.

How did the closing of the African slave trade in 1808 affect slavery in the US?

The closing of the African slave trade drove up the price of slaves and led to a significant internal trade of enslaved individuals.