History of the Americas Notes IBDP Y1 HL

El Mina

1482. A site to facilitate the gold trade between Euros + Africans. Eventually converted into a slave trading post

Treaty of Todesillas

1494 - The Vatican proposed a treaty line that separated where the Portuguese and Spanish empires would be

Asiento

In the context of the transatlantic slave trade, these were monopoly contracts in which the Spanish Crown granted permission to individual merchants or merchant houses to orchestrate the transportation of a fixed number of enslaved Africans to specific Spanish American ports over a set time

Impact of Virginia colony on Caribbean

The English colony of Virginia profoundly impacted long-term English interest in the Caribbean, leading to trade routes that favored travel through the Caribbean before heading up the East Coast of North America.

Settlement in Barbados

Barbados was financed by private English capital with the crown's blessing in 1627, creating a market for the island's first commercial crop, tobacco.

Labor for Tobacco Production

Labor for tobacco production in Barbados was provided by indentured servants, convicts, and prisoners of war from England.

Shift to Sugar Production

The shift to sugar production in the 1650s was financed by profits from tobacco as the prices for Virginia tobacco fell due to large scale production.

Dutch Expertise in Sugar Cultivation

Much of the expertise in growing sugar on Barbados came from Dutch planters who fled Brazil after the Portuguese reconquered their colony.

Sugar Price Increase

The Portuguese seizure of Dutch sugar plantations in Brazil in 1645 led to a massive increase in sugar prices.

Labor Demand for Sugar

Sugar production on Barbados required substantial labor, leading to an increase in the population and the establishment of the largest white population among English colonies.

Shift to African Labor

As the cost of white labor increased in England, planters in Barbados turned to West Africa for labor to meet the rising demand for sugar.

Middle Passage

From 1627 to 1807, 370,000 Africans were transported via the Middle Passage to work on Barbados plantations.

Social Order on Plantations

Barbados plantations established a social order consisting of white owners, white laborers, skilled slaves, drivers, and field slaves.

Birth of British Slave Society in Barbados

Barbados is viewed as the birthplace of British slave society in the Americas, influencing colonies like the Carolinas.

Barbados Slave Code (1696)

In 1696, Barbados adopted a slave code that classified enslaved people as property, reducing freedoms that were available during the early years of colonization.

Stono Rebellion

A slave rebellion that occurred in South Carolina in 1739, where enslaved Africans attempted to escape to Spanish Florida, leading to a violent confrontation with colonial militia.

Slave Resistance in British America

Enslaved individuals engaged in subtle forms of resistance such as breaking tools, destroying crops, stealing, and poisoning masters, along with more overt rebellions.

Case Study: Stono Rebellion

The Stono Rebellion involved a leader from Angola and was influenced by conditions like a malaria epidemic, exposure to war between England and Spain, and a perceived weakness in the colonial government.

Rebellions in the 18th Century

Several slave rebellions occurred in British North America, including the New York City rebellion in 1712 and the Stono Rebellion in South Carolina in 1739.

Population Growth in South Carolina

The population of enslaved Africans in South Carolina grew from 4,000 in 1708 to 90,000 by 1760, reflecting the vital role they played in the rice economy.

Cultural Retention among Slaves

The lower number of whites in South Carolina allowed slaves to maintain more of their African culture compared to enslaved individuals in the Chesapeake region.

Spanish Proclamation (1693)

A proclamation that offered freedom to any enslaved person who escaped to St. Augustine, encouraging unrest in British colonies.

Georgia Colony Founding (1732-1750)

Founded by James Oglethorpe as a buffer colony for South Carolina and as a settlement for the poor and debt-ridden people of London.

Causes of Stono Rebellion

Factors leading to the Stono Rebellion included a malaria epidemic disrupting the government, the war between England and Spain, and oppressive laws like the Security Act requiring white men to carry firearms.

War of Jenkins' Ear/War of the Asiento

Conflicts between England and Spain that contributed to unrest and anxiety among enslaved people and colonial authorities in South Carolina.

Did the Stono Rebellion fail?

Yes.

Resistance to Slavery

Forms of resistance included running away and rebellions.

Olaudah Equiano

A former slave, seaman, and merchant who wrote an autobiography depicting the horrors of slavery and lobbied for its abolition.

Bartolome de las Casas

Opposed indigenous slavery and influenced new laws that impacted the expansion of African slavery in New Spain.

Portugal's Slavery Abolition

Portugal abolished slavery in 1761, but Portuguese slave traders diverted traffic to the colonies in Brazil, and full abolition did not occur until more than a century later.

Role of Women in Abolition

Women played an important role in the abolition of slavery in the British colonies, writing literature, wearing anti-slavery cameos, and leading sugar boycotts.

Sugar Boycotts (1790s)

Organized by women, over 300,000 people joined a boycott of sugar produced by enslaved labor after a failed bill for abolition in Parliament.

Papal Condemnation of Slavery

In 1741, Pope Benedict XIV condemned slavery, indicating growing criticism from religious authorities.

John Wesley

The founder of Methodism who condemned slavery as a morally evil institution and published 'Thoughts Upon Slavery' in 1774.

Quakers

A religious society believing in equality, non-violence, and inner light, initiated opposition to slavery as early as 1657.

John Woolman

A Quaker who challenged the morality of slavery and wrote 'Some Considerations Against the Keeping of Negroes' protesting it on religious grounds.

Thomas Clarkson

Became a leading abolitionist after winning an essay contest; helped found the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade with significant Quaker involvement.

Boycotts and Petitions in the 1790s

An estimated 300,000 people boycotted slave-grown sugar, leading to a surge in petitions against the slave trade, totaling 519 petitions signed by over 390,000 people.

The 1807 Slave Trade Bill

An act of Parliament that abolished the British slave trade, a major result of one of the first public campaigns against it.

Post-1807 Developments

After the abolition of the slave trade in 1807, slavery remained legal until the 1833 Emancipation Act, with ending slavery in British colonies occurring by 1838.

Anti-Slavery Society (1823)

Founded to campaign against slavery, played a critical role in future abolitions, including a major convention in London in 1840.

Portugal's Abolition of Slavery

Portugal abolished slavery in 1761.

Diverting Slave Trade to Brazil

Portuguese slave traders diverted traffic to the colonies in Brazil, and full abolition did not occur until more than a century later.

Women's Role in Abolition

Women played an important role in the abolition of the Slave Trade and slavery in the British colonies.

Literature and Art for Abolition

Women wrote imaginative literature about slavery, including published anti-slavery poems and stories.

Anti-Slavery Cameos

Women bought and wore anti-slavery cameos to publicize their support for the abolition movement.

First Mass Movement

The abolition of slavery is considered the first mass movement protest cause in history.

Sugar Boycotts in the 1790s

Women played a significant role in organizing sugar boycotts in the 1790s after the abolition bill was defeated in Parliament.

Participation in Sugar Boycotts

Over 300,000 people joined a boycott of sugar grown on plantations using the labor of enslaved people.

Missouri Compromise

An agreement reached in 1820 aimed at resolving the conflict between slave and free states during the westward expansion of the United States.

Louisiana Purchase

Acquired in 1803 for $15 million, this territory doubled the size of the United States and included the land that would become Missouri.

Federalist vs Democratic-Republican

Political rivalry in the early 19th century, with Federalists supporting a strong central government and Democratic-Republicans advocating for states' rights.

Growth of States/Territories (1820)

During this period, the U.S. expanded its territories and admitted new states, often creating tensions over slavery.

Western Star and American Self-Sufficiency

A plan promoted by Henry Clay for American self-sufficiency, reducing reliance on imports, focusing on diverse economies in different regions (cotton in the South, varied economy in the Northeast, and food production in the West).

Lowell Mill

The first American factory system that started the Industrial Revolution in the U.S., especially in textile manufacturing.

American System and Tariffs

An economic plan that used tariff revenues to support national infrastructure improvements including roads and canals.

Cotton in the South

Cotton became the dominant crop in the South, significantly impacting the economy and increasing the demand for slave labor.

Eli Whitney and the Cotton Gin

Invented in 1793, the cotton gin mechanized the process of cotton production, greatly increasing efficiency and slavery's entrenchment by 1860.

Missouri's Path to Statehood (1819)

In 1819, Missouri applied for statehood but was contested due to its slavery status, prompting concerns about southern dominance.

Slave Power and Sectionalism

Concerns in the North about the influence of slave states in the government, leading to increasing sectionalism between North, South, and West.

Henry Clay - The Great Compromiser

Prominent politician known for his role in crafting compromises over contentious issues like slavery.

Tariff of 1828

A protective tariff that favored Northern industrial interests but was resented by the Southern agricultural economy.

Slavery as a Religious Issue

Slavery began as a religious issue, particularly challenged by 18th century Quakers who opposed it on moral grounds, advocating for the equality of all people before God.

Abolition in Northern States

Northern states began to abolish slavery, starting with Vermont in 1777, but many white Northerners maintained racist ideologies and sold their slaves to the South.

Colonization Idea

The idea of colonization aimed to resettle free blacks in Africa, but it faced lack of support from both people of color and white populations.

Historical Significance of Abolition Debate

The debate around abolition highlighted the ideological divide between the North and South regarding slavery, reflecting Southern anti-abolitionist sentiments.

Limitations of Abolitionist Sources

Sources biased against abolition, like specific handbills, limit historians' ability to gauge the broader perspectives and sentiments within the movement.

Second Great Awakening

A religious movement focused on salvation that also emphasized social reforms, including abolitionism, and sought to outlaw alcohol.

Charles Finney's Role

Charles Finney was a significant figure in spreading abolitionism among educated Northern circles, tying it to the academic scene of Northern colleges.

American Colonization Society (1816)

Founded to assist free blacks in returning to Africa, this society aimed to eventually eradicate slavery and established Liberia between 1821-1838.

American Anti-Slavery Society (1833)

This society, founded by Theodore Weld, Arthur Tappan, and Lewis Tappan, organized local and state anti-slavery efforts at the national level.

Anti-Abolitionist Riot in New York (1834)

A violent backlash against abolitionist efforts marked by an anti-abolitionist riot in New York, showcasing the tensions surrounding the abolition movement.

Angelina Weld's Advocacy

Angelina Weld, after marrying Theodore Weld in May 1838, continued to advocate for abolition, even speaking at events despite facing violence and hostility.

John Gast's 'American Progress'

A painting by John Gast in 1872 that symbolizes the concept of Manifest Destiny and the expansion of the United States across North America.

Manifest Destiny

The 19th-century doctrine coined by John O'Sullivan, asserting the right of the United States to expand its territory across the continent.

John O'Sullivan

An editor who coined the term 'manifest destiny' and wrote about the U.S. right to expand its territory.

Claim to Oregon

O'Sullivan claimed that the U.S. had the right to Oregon and other territories as part of its manifest destiny.

David Boone

Led an expedition through the Cumberland Gap and the Appalachian Mountains during the Age of Jackson.

Age of Jackson (1824-1848)

A period marked by Indian removal, westward expansion, and significant political changes in the United States.

Growth of Westward Expansion (1783-1853)

The increase of territorial acquisition and settlement in the western United States during this period.

Mexican Independence Day

Celebrated on September 16, 1821, marking Mexico's independence from Spain.

Monroe Doctrine

A U.S. policy established in the early 19th century that warned European nations against further colonization or influence in the Americas.

Stephen Austin

A key figure who established a settlement in Texas in 1822, promoting American immigration into the region.

Protestant Settlement in Texas

The influx of Protestant settlers into Texas, a predominantly Catholic region during the early 19th century, affecting cultural dynamics.

California's Constitution (1849)

California wrote a constitution that outlawed slavery, impacting the debate over its admission to the Union.

District of Columbia Abolition Push

Northerners sought abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, conflicting with Southern interests.

Southern Opposition to California

Southerners opposed California's admission as a free state due to concerns over the balance of slave and free states.

Henry Clay's Compromise Proposal

Henry Clay suggested a compromise with provisions intended to appease both Northern and Southern interests.

Seven Parts of Clay's Compromise

The compromise included California as a free state, allowing Utah and Mexico to decide on slavery, and resolutions regarding Texas and the District of Columbia.

David Wilmot's Legislation (1846)

Introduced a proposal declaring that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude would exist in lands won from Mexico; it failed in the Senate.

Free Soil Party

A political party advocating for the prohibition of slavery's expansion into new territories, but not for abolition in the South.

Zachary Taylor's Support for Statehood (1848)

Zachary Taylor, a Whig, supported California's admission as a free state.

Nashville Convention (1850)

A meeting of Southern states advocating for secession if slavery restrictions were placed in the territories.

Calhoun's Position on Slavery

John C. Calhoun argued for equal rights in territories and the return of runaway slaves.

Webster's Stance on Slavery

Daniel Webster believed slavery should not spread into new territories, advocating for the support of the Fugitive Slave Act.

Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

A law compelling Northerners to assist in capturing runaway slaves, heightened tensions between North and South.

Uncle Tom's Cabin

A novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe that depicted the evils of slavery, gaining popularity in the North and banned in the South.

Anthony Burns Case (1854)

A notable incident involving the capture of an escaped slave that exemplified the conflict over the Fugitive Slave Act.

Political Impact of the Compromise of 1850

The passage of the Compromise of 1850 eased tensions temporarily but set the stage for increased conflict over slavery.

Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)

Legislation that organized the Kansas and Nebraska territories allowing for popular sovereignty, leading to increased tensions over the issue of slavery.