History Lesson 6

Voices of Protest: Abolitionist and Indigenous Press

Page 1: Introduction to the Cherokee Nation

• Title: Voices of Protest: Abolitionist and Indigenous Press

• Date: February 28, 1829

• Location: New Echota

• Constitution of the Cherokee Nation:

  • Details formal creation of the government structure, emphasizing the election of a Principal Chief and organization of the General Council.

  • Constitutional provisions for governance and electoral processes.

Page 2: Sequoya's Contribution

• Sequoya: Developed a written form of the Cherokee language in 1821.

• Cherokee Phoenix: Launched publication of the newspaper in 1828.

• Editor Elias Boudinot: Advocated against removal of Cherokees from their land.

Page 3: The Trail of Tears

• Date: 1838

• Event: Forced removal of over 14,000 Cherokees to Oklahoma, known as the Trail of Tears.

• Casualties: Approximately 3,000 Cherokees died during the 1,200-mile journey.

Page 4: Indian Removal Act

• Other Tribes: Choctaws, Seminoles, Chickasaws also removed from southeastern states due to the Indian Removal Act of 1830 under President Jackson.

• Supreme Court: Ruled in favor of the Cherokees in Georgia v. Cherokee Nation, highlighting the contentious nature of Indian removal.

Page 5: Role of the Cherokee Phoenix

• Cherokee Phoenix: The first Native American newspaper that played a crucial role in opposition to Indian removal.

• Significance: Used by Indian Rights reformers to demonstrate that Cherokees deserved to keep their land and were capable of assimilation into American society.

Page 6: Bilingual Publication

• Bilingual Nature: Cherokee Phoenix published content in both English and Cherokee to reach a broader audience.

• Government Structure: Continued discussion of the Cherokee government and its provisions, reinforcing sovereignty and law among the Cherokee people.

Page 7: Missions and Challenges

• First Issue: Addressed issues including the Georgia Removal, Christian conversion conflict, and dispelling stereotypes about native Americans.

• Increasing Tension: By 1834, the intent to remove native tribes became increasingly apparent, particularly in Georgia and Alabama.

Page 8: Partisan Press in the 1840s-1850s

• Pre-Civil War Influence: The growth of partisan newspapers shaped the political landscape leading up to the Civil War.

• Example: Publication of the Anti-Slavery Bugle as a voice against slavery.

Page 9: The Liberator

• Founded: 1831 by William Lloyd Garrison.

• Mission: Advocated for immediate emancipation, rejecting gradualist approaches.

• Location: Based in Boston and became a critical voice for abolition.

Page 10: Violence Against Abolitionist Press

• Attacks on Press: Documented violence against abolitionist newspapers, including the attack on Garrison and the destruction of the Pennsylvania Freeman in 1838.

• Elijah Lovejoy: Noted martyr of the abolitionist movement, murdered in 1837.

Page 11: The Liberator and the Civil War

• Union Support: Garrison's The Liberator supported the Union during the Civil War.

• Closure: Garrison closed the publication in 1865, remarking it as a significant dedication to the cause of abolition.

Page 12: African-American Newspapers

• Freedom’s Journal: The first African-American newspaper published in 1827, advocating for rights and representation.

• Editor: Samuel E. Cornish, focused on Christian values, abolition, and the plight of blacks.

Page 13: Growth of Black Newspapers

• Pre-Civil War Era: Approximately 50 black newspapers and magazines established before 1865 became platforms for political and cultural discourse.

• Frederick Douglass: Criticized white newspapers for inadequate representation of black perspectives.

Page 14: Legal Cases

• Significant Cases: Overview of pivotal legal cases like Prigg v. Pennsylvania (1842) and Dred Scott (1857) affirming rights of slave owners, influencing the discourse surrounding slavery.

Page 15: Douglass’ Publications

• The North Star: Founded by Frederick Douglass in 1847, later renamed Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851).

• Impact: Highly influential in the abolitionist movement, advocating for women's rights and having a large readership.

Page 16: Douglass' Later Work

• Douglass' Monthly: An abolitionist magazine published after The North Star.

• New Era: Took control of a weekly paper established for former slaves, focusing on their needs and rights.

• Partnerships: Collaborated with socialists and anti-slavery advocates.

Page 17: The Ram’s Horn

• Founded: 1846 by Willis Hodges, with 2,500 subscribers.

• Support: Associated with Frederick Douglass and active in the underground railroad efforts.

Page 18: Hodges’ Contributions

• Relocation: Moved to New York, opening a grocery store, while actively participating in anti-slavery efforts, including launching The Ram’s Horn.

• Education Initiatives: Opposed societal injustices against free people of color while promoting education.

Page 19: Advocacy and Activism

• Hodges' Reflections: Wrote about the severe challenges faced by free blacks in the South, alternated between activism and personal retreat from public life until his death in 1890.

Additional Information

• Cherokee newspaper The Cherokee Phoenix started in 1828, aimed to provide a voice for the Cherokee Nation, promote literacy, and raise awareness about the struggles faced by Native Americans during a time of forced removal and cultural assimilation.

• In 1828, the forced removal of over 14,000 Cherokees to Oklahoma was known as the Trail of Tears.

  Casualties: Approximately 3,000 Cherokees died during the 1,200-mile journey.

• The Supreme Court ruled in the supreme courts ruling in Georgia V the Cherokee nation

• Despite that, Jackson went ahead and did it anyway

• The Cherokee phoenix is taking a larger position here writing for all indigenous people throughout the entire continent

• This publication aimed to advocate for the rights and sovereignty of Native American tribes, highlighting their struggles and resilience in the face of adversity.

• There were a number of religious controversies going on during this time.

• The debate over the policy of indian removal was particularly contentious, as it raised significant moral and ethical questions regarding the treatment of indigenous populations and their right to remain on their ancestral lands.

• In 1834 we have the establishment of the Indian Removal Act, which authorized the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans from their homelands, leading to the tragic Trail of Tears. here we have the Phoenix and the Cherokees vs the federal government, as they fought against the injustices imposed by the Indian Removal Act, striving to protect their rights and preserve their culture.

• The Jackson government has broken treaties, the government has deprived us of our land was emphasized in the speeches and writings of the Phoenix

• “In court, the Indians words were not equal to that of the American white” from the Cherokee Phoenix

• Reflecting on George Washington was a way for Phoenix and the Cherokees to highlight the stark contrast between his vision of a united nation and their oppression under Jackson's administration. Don’t shut us out bring us in is what they’re essentially saying

• William Lloyd Garrison, the Liberator, was the preeminent voice for the abolitionist movement, advocating for the immediate emancipation of all enslaved individuals and urging society to recognize every person's inherent rights and dignity.

• In 1835 a mob burned his newspaper office showing that even in a northern pro abolitionist state Garrison was still a highly controversial figure, facing violent opposition as he pushed for social justice and equality.

• The liberator supported the Union during the Civil War, and after 1865, he felt his work was done after the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery. However, he continued to advocate for the rights of African Americans and other marginalized groups, emphasizing the need for true equality and social justice. Garrison's unwavering commitment to these ideals laid the groundwork for future civil rights movements, inspiring generations to fight against systemic oppression and advocate for a more equitable society.

• The Nation magazine also started around this time and was a pro-abolitionist magazine that provided a platform for abolitionist ideas and promoted social reform efforts across the country.

• First African American newspaper was the Freedom’s Journal in 1827, which played a crucial role in advocating for the rights of African Americans and highlighting the injustices they faced. This publication marked a significant milestone in African American literature and journalism, empowering black voices and fostering a sense of community among readers who sought to challenge the status quo.

• During the issue of the Freedom’s journal, the editor's main mission was to “we wish to plead our own cause,” which means that they aimed to advocate for the rights and interests of African Americans directly rather than relying on others to speak on their behalf. The editor of Freedom’s journal was Samuel E Cornish

• Cornish mission of the paper: “This paper is designed to be the organ of colored America” were telling our own story we don’t need others to tell our story and here’s how we are going to do it

• We’re gonna look at prejudice, quality law, every issue that touch black Americans

• The purpose of this newspaper is to connect African Americans all across the country

• Cornish realizes the value of the newspaper in shaping public opinion and mobilization

• When they’re division among the black people about their skintone there’s no different than the prejudice of the whites

• This highlights the need for unity and understanding within the community, as internal divisions only serve to weaken their collective voice and hinder progress in the fight against systemic racism.

• Fredrick Douglass was the first true civil rights fighter in the United States

• Wrote a couple of newspapers: The freeman and the north star

• Abolitionist press both owned by whites like William Lloyd garriosn and blacks such as Frederick Douglass and Willis A Hodges

• The Northern Star, one of the most influential abolitionist newspapers of its time, played a crucial role in spreading the message of freedom and equality, advocating for the end of slavery and the rights of African Americans.

• The case of Prigg Vs Pennslyvania was a landmark Supreme Court case in 1842 that addressed the issue of whether a state law could prevent the capture and return of fugitive slaves. This case highlighted the tensions between state and federal laws regarding slavery and further fueled the abolitionist movement.

• This case made concrete that slaves had no rights and free men in the north had no obligation to assist in the capture of escaped slaves, leading to significant resistance against the Fugitive Slave Act.

• Prigg the legal agent of a slave owner , was involved in the case as he sought to retrieve an escaped slave, Margaret Morgan, which ultimately led to the Supreme Court's ruling that reinforced the idea that slaveowners had the right to reclaim their property, further complicating the legal landscape for abolitionists and free blacks in the North. The ruling also sparked a wave of activism among abolitionists, who organized to resist the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act and support escaped slaves seeking refuge in free states.

• William Seward emerged as a prominent figure during this period, advocating for the rights of escaped slaves and opposing the injustices perpetuated by the Fugitive Slave Act.

• Seward made the case in a paper that the Constitution is a living document that should be interpreted in a way that upholds the principles of liberty and justice for all, arguing that the rights of individuals cannot be subordinated to the property claims of slave owners.

• Seward quoted that all men are born and created equal under the constitution and emphasized that the moral imperative to protect human rights must prevail over the legal protections afforded to slave ownership.

• This is a crucial point in journalism, highlighting the debate about man and dignity. It raises questions about how societal values and ethics shape our understanding of justice and equality.

• Seward also notes the inequalities of political positions; democracy can’t function without the active participation of all citizens, regardless of race or social status, emphasizing that true representation is essential for a fair and just society.

• Back to PPT: The German American population would support the free soil movement. was recognized by Douglass and Lincoln

• Germans were experiencing significant social and economic changes at this time, which led them to align with movements advocating freedom and equality as they sought to escape oppression in their homeland.

• Karl Marx was an influential figure during this period whose ideas on socialism resonated with the German immigrants, inspiring them to advocate for workers' rights and social justice in the United States. This alignment with socialist ideals and the free soil movement reflected their desire for a society where all individuals could have equal opportunities and rights.

• Marx wrote a letter to Lincoln in 1864 expressing his support for the Union cause and highlighting the importance of the struggle for freedom and equality. This letter resonated deeply with the German-American community.

• The collaboration between German Americans and prominent leaders like Douglass and Lincoln strengthened their political influence and helped shape the broader narrative of the American struggle for civil rights.

• Willis Hodges was part of the 1847 Formation of the New York Society for the Promotion of Education Among Colored Children. And began publishing a weekly anti-slavery newspaper, The Ram’s Horn.

• Hodges alternated between New York and Virginia, and between activism and withdrawal from the public sphere until his death in 1890.