Flashcards HILD 7A Midterm

Globalization

Vast interconnectivity between people in all corners of the world, through internet, international commerce and trade, international travels and migration.

Centralized government

"Central state", an entity/monarch as leader

Myth: African was "uncivilized" before European contact

Agricultural development allowed small scale states to form in the West African savanna before the rise of Roman Empire: organization in society

Trans-Saharan slave trade

Agricultural societies were strengthened with trade and relationships with European countries

Myth: European kingdoms took advantage of and easily dominated "backwards" African societies

Centralized and powerful African states with high degrees of organization and infrastructure were also vying for power, prestige and wealth

Mansa Musa

Ruler for Kingdom of Mali, made a trip to Mecca with 6000 men

What country began to explore the West Coast of Africa in the 1400s?

Portugal

What did this country trade with West Africa?

Gold, ivory and pepper

When did the Atlantic trade begin?

Mid-15th century, the Portuguese initiated the Atlantic trade in captive Africans

Ruy de Siqueira

Portuguese merchant, who in 1472 gained permission from Oba (King) of Benin to trade for slaves within borders of Oba's kingdom

Who were the first to be bought?

Africans who were generally enslaved prisoners of war from interethnic conflict

How were these people treated in the 1400s?

This form of African slavery allowed the enslaved to be members of society

Chattel Slavery

A person is deprived of his/her status, reduced to a commodity or cattle. The status of "slave" was hereditary.

By 1510, this country began to do the same as those enslaved by the Portuguese. What were these captives to cultivate?

Spain; sugar

Why Africans?

Cheaper, immune to European diseases, skilled laborers and capable of working in the climate

How many captives for every European left the "old world" for the "new world" between 1492 and 1820?

four African captives for every European.

Maize (corn)

This plant was introduced to Africa and contributed to globalization

What was the main economic activity of Europeans in West Africa by the early 17th century?

Purchase of captives

Creoles

Slaves born in the Americas who taught the new arrivals how to act and the labor of being a slave in work gangs

Coffles

Line of human beings

Who dominated the Atlantic Slave Trade after buying the Spanish asiento?

the British

What is the difference between slaves and captives?

Slaves: Legal category; suggests that someone was born a slave, natural/god given category.

Captives: Often preferred, suggests that it was a process, that it happened to a person, unnatural

Elmina Castle

Location on the coast of Ghana where many Africans began the Middle Passage of the slave trade

How did were the slaves made presentable after arriving the Americas?

Gun Powder, lemon juice and palm oil scrub

the transatlantic journey

One third of African captives died from the moment of capture to the point of embarking the slave ship on what journey.

Virginia Law (1662)

Made slavery hereditary, based on condition of mother

Maryland Law (1663)

All blacks brought into the colony were automatically enslaved

Virginia Law (1667)

Slaves were to maintain the status of slavery for life

Maryland 1664

Forbade marriage between black men and white men; no longer granted freedom to slaves who became Christian

Myth: Racism led to slavery

The reality is much more complicated. In fact, in many ways, slavery led to racism

Myth: Slavery was a southern phenomenon

Plantation slavery/slave society did not exist in the North, but it was a society with slaves for a period. Eventually phased out in the north

Psychological Resistance

Enslaved body, with a free mind. They rejected the notion that they were chattel/property and were made by God to be slaves.

Psychological Resistance example

Harriet Jacobs. "I did my work faithfully, though not, of course, with a wiling mind."

Concealed Day-to-Day Resistance

Enslaved realized that more open resistance, like revolt, carried minimal likelihood for success. They often preferred everyday actions such as stealing, sabotage, breaking tools/equipment, feigning illness, staging slowdowns.

(Stories constructed about the enslaved that rendered day-to-day resistance invisible.)

Running Away (Resistance)

The enslaved took advantage of disruption caused by war to seek freedom with the British, run away elsewhere, or demand more liberties and rights from disempowered slaveholders.

What influenced the resistance strategy of running away?

By the American Revolution (1776-1783) and Haitian Revolution (1791-1803) and the First Great Awakening.

Each event emphasized freedom, liberty and equality.

What did George Washington do in 1776?

Reversed the decision of the previous year and allowed free blacks to serve in the Continental army (about 8,000 to 10,000 serve)

Philipsburg Proclamation (1779)

British declared all the enslaved persons free, unconditionally and promised protection freedom and land

Myth: For the most part, running away entailed the enslaved escaping the South and heading to the free North

Runaways often travelled relatively short distances to negotiate their treatment, pace of work, free time

Underground railroad

1860s - 1865

Was comprised of a largely informal network of some 3,200 people of all races in the South, North and west who helped people flee slavery. Facilitated the escape of between 40,000 to 100,000 blacks

Harriet Tubman

"Moses of her people"

Escaped to Philadelphia in 1849 through the underground railroad. Returned to flee with family and help others flee. Tubman was said to never lose a runaway.

Maroon Societies

Communities established by those who had fled slavery (fugitive slaves)

Positive outcomes of Legal Resistance

1. Elizabeth Freeman (1781, MA)

2. Quock Walker case (1783, MA)

1781 Massachusetts, Elizabeth Freeman (Mum Bett)

Born into slavery, suffered physical abuse from slave owner's wife, escaped her home and refused to return.

Initiated case Brom and Bett v. Ashley, set a precedent for abolition of slavery in MA. There was no claim that John Ashley had violated a specific law -- it was a direct challenge to the very existence of slavery in MA. Both Brom and Bett was freed and awarded 30 shillings in damages.

1783 Massachusetts, Quock Walker

A series of judicial cases that successfully challenged the legality of slavery in MA.

Walker was severely beaten. Filed a suit against Jennison for assault and battery. Final verdict: Jennison guilty of assault and battery.

(the Massachusetts Constitution of 1780, however, was never amended to specifically prohibit slavery)

Negative outcomes of legal resistance

1857 Dred Scott case (Supreme court ruled that blacks are not citizens and had no rights, made it illegal for slavery to exist in all territories, even those declared free)

Nat Turner 1831

led a slave rebellion in 1831; occurred in Southampton County, VA; 55 - 65 white men killed

Abolitionism

formally organized movements and campaigns against the institution of slavery; efforts to render slavery illegal

1st regional abolition movement

the first existed in the south among the enslaved, free blacks, and some sympathetic whites

many were connected to black churches, the "invisible institution" (desire among the enslaved to practice their religious beliefs without the monitoring of whites), in secret "hush-harbor" religious services

2nd regional abolition movement

consisted of black and white abolitionists in the north, with branches in the upper south

northern abolitionist movements were predominantly racially segregated

with notable exceptions, prominent black northern abolitionist leaders were ministers and or devoutly Christian

what events happened during the second abolitionist movement?

formal black northern abolitionist activities largely occurred in black churches (like the African Methodist Episcopal, A.M.E.)

activities included housing anti-slavery meetings, providing sanctuary for runaways and helping to raise money to free the enslaved

what group initiated northern abolitionism

The Quakers

(white northern abolitionist movement)

Where and when did the Quakers form

1730s, New Jersey and Pennsylvania

(they became convinced that slaveholding was counter to their belief in spiritual equality)

The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage

the first formal anti-slavery society organized by the Philadelphia Quakers (1775)

American Anti-Slavery Society (AASS)

Abolitionist society founded by William Lloyd Garrison in 1833 that became the most important northern abolitionist organization of the period.

What was Garrison's goal?

a movement dedicated to immediate, uncompensated emancipation, and equal rights for African Americans in the US

(he became one of the most progressive white abolitionists)

what did early white abolitionist movements do, that Garrison did not?

worked separately from blacks

favor gradual abolition

often argued for indemnification to slaveholders

rarely advocated equal rights for blacks

focused on the North and did little to bring about abolition in the South

AASS was said to be the only official organization to do this

allowing black men to participate in meetings without formal restrictions

Black abolitionist James McCrummell and Robert Purvis

Racial tensions in the AASS

many blacks felt that Garrison took a very condescending tone with black colleagues

many blacks that they were not treated as equals at AASS headquarters, or at the various state and local branches

throughout the history of the AASS, blacks rarely held positions of authority

Martin Delany

"we find ourselves occupying the very same position in relation to our Anti-Slavery friends, as we do in relation to the pro-slavery"

AASS Gender Tensions

Three year battle over "the woman question" in the organization between 1837 and 1840

finally "resolved" in 1840 when a woman was elected to a leadership position for the first time

that same year, those opposed to women's participation formed the American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society (which did not admit women)

reaction to racial and gender inequalities

black men, black women, and white women often formed their own auxiliaries to the AASS

many opted to give their time, energy and talent to the other movements/ orgs (Black Convention Movement, black churches, black press, female abolitionist groups: Salem Female Anti-slavery society etc.)

women's politicization increased through abolitionism

Charlotte Forten Grimke and Lucretia Mott (placed burden on themselves to prove that black women could be accepted)

Sojourner Truth

United States abolitionist and feminist who was freed from slavery and became a leading advocate of the abolition of slavery and for the rights of women (1797-1883)

Maria Stewart

The first black woman to lecture on women's rights and slavery in public in the early 1830s in Boston. Encountered vocal opposition and violence. Garrison published some of her lecture's in The Liberator.

Abolition as Christian morality

impact of the Great Awakenings (first in 1730s and 1740s, then at the end of 18th century)

argued for more accessible salvation and spiritual equality

Christian moral persuasion argued on the basis of Christian consciences and concern for mortal souls

argued that slaveholding was a sin in God's eyes and meant eternal damnation

abolition as separation

BLack nationalism: Price Hall's return to Africa plan in the late 1700s

many blacks gave up on the idea of racial equality in the US and move to West Africa or the Caribbean, particularly Haiti (Henry Highland Garnet and Alexander Crummel, big supports of emigration)

American Colonization Society

founded in 1816

push to abolish slavery gradually and send emancipated slaves to Liberia

abolition as economic

notions of economic progress and greatness linked to work ethic, innovation, which were seen as rare in slave society

economic efficiency of slavery

many perceived free labor to be more efficient and more favorable to growing a strong economy

Mary Church Terrell

founded the National Association of Colored Women

her father wanted her to live the life of a gentlewoman and always told her that ladies didnt work -- she defied this and taught at university and high school

Ida B. Wells

columns on Thomas Moss' lynching affected both the white and black community

hundreds of blacks began leaving Memphis for Kansas, Oklahoma, and points west

white business community began to panic, as "business was practically at a standstill"

what did Ida B. Wells fight for

she did not believe in the ultimate efficacy of passive resistance

she wanted to reveal the truth about lynching and criticize the act

Washington's Address in the Atlanta Exposition

conservative standing

they should accept discrimination and work hard to build themselves up in society

suggested them to be submissive

MIDDLE GROUND between both approaches (most effective gradual change/ reconstruction)

mutual progress, harmonious coexistence

W.E.B. DuBois

Opposed Booker T. Washington. Wanted social and political integration as well as higher education for 10% of African Americans-what he called a "Talented Tenth". Founder of the Niagara Movement which led to the creation of the NAACP.

what did Dubois advocate for

higher education

civil rights, equality

right to vote

Dubois said that Washington did not do enough for this, and that this is not a problem that can be solved by diplomacy (which is something that Washington proposed)

Dubois criticized Booker T. Washington for this

that Washington shifted the problem onto blacks

Freedmen's Bureau

1865 - Agency set up to aid former slaves in adjusting themselves to freedom. It furnished food and clothing to needy blacks and helped them get jobs

how did the Freedmen's Bureau decline

when government funds were declining

hope and optimism were being crushed, increased violence (lynching)

Ku Klux Klan founded

1866, White supremacy organization that intimidated blacks out of their newly found liberties

what did the KKK stand for

to keep African Americans in their bounds, inferior social class

to instill fear

middle class was the greatest threat to white supremacy

later became politically active

What was the Compromise of 1850?

Admitting California to the Union as a free state.

New Mexico, Utah would be organized as territoires open to slavery.

Ended the slave trade in Washington D.C. called for a passage of strong fugitive slave law, which would make it easier to find and reclaim runaway slaves.

When was Kansas admitted as a free state?

1861

Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)

Created Nebraska and Kansas as states & gave the people in those territories the right to choose to be either a free or slave state through popular sovereignty.; repealed Missouri Compromise; destroyed Whig party & led to emergence of Republican party

what effects did Abraham Lincoln's election have on southern planters?

Lincoln advocated for free labor. his election in 1860 left southern planters hopeless for their cause of securing and maintaining slavery

At first seven states seceded from the Union to form the Confederate States of America

South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas

War began in Fort Sumter

in April of 1861, first shots fired at Fort Sumter

after Fort Sumter, 4 more states joined the confederacy

the enslaved moved their labor from the Confederate planter to the Northern invader to..?

secure their freedom. flee the Union.

what did escapees become?

spies, guides, construction workers, cooks, soldiers, etc.

Lincoln and Emancipation

Lincoln's primary goal was always to preserve the Union (slavery was not a priority for him for the first few years of the war)

once the war began, Lincoln supported gradual, compensated emancipation, followed by the resettlement of freed persons to the Caribbean, Latin America of West Africa

Lincoln did what in April 1862?

Lincoln and Congress offered funds to "any state which may adopt the gradual abolishment of slavery"

Lincoln concluded that Union victory was tied directly to slavery because?

with the rejection of this offer and the war in full swing

Lincoln and his cabinet used slavery to hasten the end of war and restore the union

Frederick Douglass believed that

the civil war was to end slavery

african americans should engage in the abolition of slavery

how did Lincoln respond to critics

"my paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or destroy slavery"

Emancipation proclamations

(1862) an order issued by President Abraham Lincoln freeing the slaves in areas rebelling against the Union; took effect January 1, 1863

who was excluded from the Emancipation Proclamation

the enslaved in the four border states (kentucky, maryland, missouri and delaware)

the enslaved in the areas that union forces had already occupied (including 48 countries of western virginia, parts of tennessee, and 13 parishes in louisiana, including new orleans)

hundreds of thousands remained in bondage

(however even more enslaved blacks would liberate themselves with its passage)

Robert E. Lee surrenders

April 9th 1865

ended the civil war after about 750,000 deaths

April 15th, 1865

President Lincoln assassinated (killed by John Wilkes Booth the day after Lincoln expressed support for black suffrage)

Black suffrage

black people's right to vote

13th Amendment

1865

Abolition of slavery

(involuntary servitude).

Congress has the power to enforce this via legislation.