1. From Slavery to Freedom 9th ed.
Chapter 6
Building Communities in the Early Republic

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Black Population Census of 1790
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3. African Americans in Demographic Perspective
The Mid-Atlantic States and New England
Gradual abolition laws
Slavery persisted; by eve of Civil War there were no slaves in the North
Slavery did not end in Delaware until after Civil War
New England ahead of other regions in abolition of slavery
Slavery persisted west of the southern Appalachians
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4. African Americans in Demographic Perspective
Development of Black Communities
Timing and character of abolition important in building of black communities
Developed rapidly in cities, especially in the North
Economic discrimination and social ostracism remained
African Americans gravitated to East Coast cities
Also time of white migration
Occupational opportunity varied from place to place
In Boston, blacks compressed to lower economic ranks
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5. African Americans in Demographic Perspective
Black Migration to Boston
Early abolition in Massachusetts spurred black migration to Boston
In 1788, Massachusetts legislature passed measure to prevent black in-migration from other states
Blacks in Philadelphia
Early rise in black community attributed to fact Pennsylvania first state to pass emancipation law
Created black urban institutions, although majority of jobs remained unskilled
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6. African Americans in Demographic Perspective
New York City’s Black Community
Slavery legal until 1799; black community remained heavily enslaved
Free population grew larger during this time
Many coming from surrounding countryside and the Upper South
Mostly performed unskilled labor; some were artisans
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7. Building Community Institutions
Institutions cornerstones of black communities
Emerged as result of blacks’ desire to participate in shared cultural traditions
Independent Black Churches
Organized in both North and South
First Great Awakening
Religious revivals attracting blacks to evangelical antislavery Methodists and Baptists
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8. Building Community Institutions
Richard Allen and Absalom Jones
Founders of African Free Society
Decided to break away from St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church after being directed to sit in balcony under a new segregated seating policy
The African Methodist Episcopal Church
Methodist general council attempted to control Allen’s new church
Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision led way for this first black-led denomination
AME grew, with branches as far as Pittsburgh and Charleston
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9. Building Community Institutions
Separate Black Institutions
Community associations and institutions created urban black leadership class
Based on common values
Boston School Committee’s 1812 decision to subsidize black schools root of Boston’s segregated school system
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10. Building Community Institutions
White Philanthropy
Enhanced institution building
Black and White Leadership Conflicts
Struggled over differences, control
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11. Blacks and American Party Politics
Disfranchisement of Blacks
State legislatures opened up voting for white men by abolishing property restrictions, but many of the statutes disfranchised black men
Free-black property holders found it increasingly more difficult to vote
Black vote was an issue in the increasing political partisanship of 1790s
Federalists more likely to oppose slavery, be sympathetic to role of blacks as citizens
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12. Blacks and American Party Politics
The Haitian Revolution
After long struggle, Haiti became the world’s first black republic
American politics divided over the Revolution
Federalists tended to support
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Toussaint Louverture
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14. The Louisiana Purchase
Federalists and Free Blacks
Free-black voters preferred Federalists because of prominence in early antislavery societies
Not all Federalists were critical of slavery
Southern Federalists still supported slavery
Party’s northern base committed to growth of cities, manufacturing, and maritime trades
Opened jobs for urbanized free-black population
Elections contentious
Federalists courted blacks in Boston to counterbalance Democratic Republican Irish immigrants
Blacks intimidated in polling places
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15. Black Writing and Art in the New Nation
Blacks adopted various literary forms to define position in relation to dominant white society
Linked African American communities with others of African descent in Atlantic world
Pamphlet Literature
Usually published orations; countered racist depictions of blacks in dominant society’s print media
Commemorations of end of slave trade; accompanied annual celebrations
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16. Black Writing and Art in the New Nation
Appeals to Readers
Success of pamphlet as vehicle of social transformation depended on appeal to white readers
Black leaders defended claims for equal citizenship; Africa as center of black heritage became a theme
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17. Black Writing and Art in the New Nation
The Jones and Allen Pamphlet
First blacks to receive a copyright for pamphlet; defended black communities’ behavior during yellow fever epidemic
Pamphleteers attempted to replace negative racial images with group images of respectability; also engaged in internal community policing
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18. Black Writing and Art in the New Nation
The Spiritual Autobiography
Jupiter Hammon; Olaudah Equiano
Banneker’s Almanacs
Most accomplished black man of letters in early U.S.
Issued almanacs; appealed for more liberal attitude toward blacks
Appointed to lay out streets of Washington, DC
The Painter Joshua Johnston
First documented professional black painter
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The War of 1812
Black Military Service
During War of 1812, northern black communities pledged allegiance to U.S. government
New York passed act for recruitment of two black regiments
Promised same pay as white soldiers; freedom to slaves who enlisted with permission of master
Vigilance Committee in Philadelphia called on black leaders to mobilize community
More than 2,500 blacks helped to erect defenses
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The War of 1812
Gallant Service
Soldiers of color instrumental in victory at the Battle of New Orleans
Praised by Jackson for their gallantry
Also fought on British side
British promised freedom to fugitive slaves
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The Battle of New Orleans
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Black Colonization
Colonization Efforts
Black settlement outside U.S. appealed to different groups for different reasons
Escaped slaves looking for place to live free
Black religious leaders wanted to go back to Africa for missionary purposes
Slavery proponents wanted removal of free blacks in order to keep slavery secure
Many antislavery whites supported colonization because of difficulty of races to live in harmony
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Black Colonization
William Thornton
Earliest campaign for colonization to Africa
Based on belief that races could not live amicably
Paul Cuffee
Man of mixed African and Indian descent who owned and built ships; proposed to establish emigration and trade relations with Sierra Leone
With James Forten’s help, established Friendly Society of Sierra Leone in Philadelphia
Sailed to Freetown in 1815 from Boston with 38 emigrants, at his own expense
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Paul Cuffee
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Black Colonization
American Colonization Society
Made up of mix of slaveholders and abolitionists
Colony of Liberia formed as result of its efforts
Black Opposition
Philadelphia blacks negatively responded to colonization
Black opposition grew in many cities
Whether to stay or leave America continued to be debate in black communities throughout antebellum period
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26. The Contagion of Liberty
Gabriel’s Rebellion in Virginia
August 30, 1800, more than 1,000 blacks participated in a failed attempt to rebel with purpose of negotiating end of slavery
Conspirators influenced by Haitian revolution, news from other parts of the world from black sailors, and the arrival of French-speaking slaves and slave owners
Plots and Rumors
Unrest among slaves continued into following year
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