1. Judging slavery through history Information from Peter Kolchin Summer 2011

2. Historiography The writing of history – How does history change? The writing of history – How does history change? Who writes history? Who writes history? Why write history? Why write history? What is going on in society while we write history? Why does that matter? What is going on in society while we write history? Why does that matter?

3. Slavery and historiography Relationship between slaves and masters has changed depending on when and who was telling the history. Relationship between slaves and masters has changed depending on when and who was telling the history. 1 st half of 20 th Century – U.B Phillips – slaves as objects 1 st half of 20 th Century – U.B Phillips – slaves as objects “American Negro Slavery” – 1914 – portrayed slaves as docile, ignorant, inferior, but kindly people managed by well-meaning whites. “American Negro Slavery” – 1914 – portrayed slaves as docile, ignorant, inferior, but kindly people managed by well-meaning whites. What sources do YOU think historians used to draw these conclusions? What sources do YOU think historians used to draw these conclusions?

4. Stanley Elkins – 1950s and 60s Elkins not a “racist” in the same way that Phillips was.... Elkins not a “racist” in the same way that Phillips was.... Described slavery systems as dehumanizing. Turned victims into docile creatures with NO AGENCY Described slavery systems as dehumanizing. Turned victims into docile creatures with NO AGENCY

5. Civil Rights Movement through 70s and 80s Where do you think the emphasis was on research? What kind of materials? Where do you think the emphasis was on research? What kind of materials? Focus on agency and slave community – rather than on treatment and management. Focus on agency and slave community – rather than on treatment and management.

6. Balanced approach? The historian struggles to create a balance – to recognize that slavery was a system of oppression – but also recognize that slaves had a life of their own. The historian struggles to create a balance – to recognize that slavery was a system of oppression – but also recognize that slaves had a life of their own. Some of the areas of controversy: Some of the areas of controversy: Size/shape of family – Size/shape of family – Marriage Marriage Stability of family life Stability of family life

7. Quick Processing Examine your texts at your table..Which historian goes with what period? Why? Examine your texts at your table..Which historian goes with what period? Why?

11. GLOBALIZATION? How is the Middle Passage an example of globalization? How is the Middle Passage an example of globalization? How did the Middle Passage “flatten” the world? How did the Middle Passage “flatten” the world? Do you see anything in the world today that could be analogous to the Middle Passage? Do you see anything in the world today that could be analogous to the Middle Passage?

12. SLAVERY disposable peole.ppt

13. Document Based exercise

14. “Peculiar” Institution American Slavery was not really strange or unique – Forced labor was the way of the world – was pervasive. American Slavery was not really strange or unique – Forced labor was the way of the world – was pervasive. Russia Russia Asia Asia Africa Africa Americas Americas

15. Slavery in America – a comparison Caribbean had a much larger percentage of population as slave population.. ¼ million slaves lived on 50+ slave plantations. 75% of all slaves living with 50 or more slaves Caribbean had a much larger percentage of population as slave population.. ¼ million slaves lived on 50+ slave plantations. 75% of all slaves living with 50 or more slaves Russia – 80% of population slave Russia – 80% of population slave Jamaica – 90% of the population Jamaica – 90% of the population US – not that large US – not that large

16. Interaction of slaves in U.S American slaves tended to live in smaller numbers on farms/plantations. American slaves tended to live in smaller numbers on farms/plantations. More interaction with masters More interaction with masters Narrative – p. 18 Narrative – p. 18

17. Growth of Slave Population 1808-1860 – Tripled Slave population. 1808-1860 – Tripled Slave population. In other countries, once slave trade abolished, slavery leveled off and declined. In other countries, once slave trade abolished, slavery leveled off and declined. Brazil – 1850s importation finished.. By 1880 slavery abolished. Brazil – 1850s importation finished.. By 1880 slavery abolished. U.S – What ends slavery for us? U.S – What ends slavery for us?

18. FREDERICK DOUGLASS Essential Questions Essential Questions 1. Was Douglass’ experience “typical” of slavery? 1. Was Douglass’ experience “typical” of slavery? 2. What themes does Douglass share with his readers connect across all types of slavery? 2. What themes does Douglass share with his readers connect across all types of slavery? 3. How can you read Douglass’ narrative as both a story and as a skilled argument? 3. How can you read Douglass’ narrative as both a story and as a skilled argument?

19. Who was Douglass?

20. Which one wasn’t he? Autobiographereducator Autobiographereducator Slavehero Slavehero Abolitionistcaulker Abolitionistcaulker Self-educatedRepublican Self-educatedRepublican lawyer lawyer AgitatorDiplomat to Haiti AgitatorDiplomat to Haiti Fugitive Fugitive Orator Orator International celebrity International celebrity Constitutional theorist Constitutional theorist Military leader Military leader

21. Who was Douglass? First owner was Aaron Anthony – Southern version of self-made man; he was an orphaned son of an illiterate tenant farmer. Anthony had worked for Edward Lloyd V – but by the time Douglass was born, he had become part of the master class. First owner was Aaron Anthony – Southern version of self-made man; he was an orphaned son of an illiterate tenant farmer. Anthony had worked for Edward Lloyd V – but by the time Douglass was born, he had become part of the master class. Douglass says Lloyd had 1000 slaves.. exaggeration Douglass says Lloyd had 1000 slaves.. exaggeration

22. Parents? His full name – Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey – What is interesting about his two middle names? His full name – Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey – What is interesting about his two middle names? Mother -- Harriet Bailey – a literate woman who worked as a field hand. Mother -- Harriet Bailey – a literate woman who worked as a field hand. Father – whispers it could have been Anthony himself. Father – whispers it could have been Anthony himself.

23. Privileged slave? Is there such a thing? First job: “Domestic” – Often patterns to slavery – fit the life cycle. First job: “Domestic” – Often patterns to slavery – fit the life cycle. Children – sometimes “idyllic” stage – not aware of slavery. Children – sometimes “idyllic” stage – not aware of slavery. 8-9 years old – start to work in “Big house” 8-9 years old – start to work in “Big house” Adult males – in field usually (on a plantation) Adult males – in field usually (on a plantation) Some Women and children – Big House Some Women and children – Big House Older slaves – lighter tasks Older slaves – lighter tasks Slave life expectancy – If you lived beyond 5 years, you could live to 50...In other places, slaves reached an average age of 30. Slave life expectancy – If you lived beyond 5 years, you could live to 50...In other places, slaves reached an average age of 30.

31. Douglass’ early years – how do they compare? Douglass worked around the Big House and its gardens and tables. One of the most coveted positions in plantation hierarchy (Stauffer 30). Douglass worked around the Big House and its gardens and tables. One of the most coveted positions in plantation hierarchy (Stauffer 30). Most children – slave children short for age – maybe not fed well.. Caught up in teen years but not as much as white counterparts. Most children – slave children short for age – maybe not fed well.. Caught up in teen years but not as much as white counterparts. Douglass – rather tall – nearly 6 ft. Douglass – rather tall – nearly 6 ft.

32. After Big House.. Where did Douglass go? Aaron Anthony rather “kind” to Douglass.. “patting me on the head, speaking to me in soft caressing tones, and calling me his ‘little Indian boy.” Aaron Anthony rather “kind” to Douglass.. “patting me on the head, speaking to me in soft caressing tones, and calling me his ‘little Indian boy.” After Anthony died, Frederick became property of his daughter Lucretia. She died in 1827.. So owned by Lucretia’s husband, Thomas Auld. After Anthony died, Frederick became property of his daughter Lucretia. She died in 1827.. So owned by Lucretia’s husband, Thomas Auld. Were slaves sad when owners died? Why? Were slaves sad when owners died? Why?

34. Thomas Auld “lent” Douglass out to his brother – Hugh Auld and Hugh’s wife, Sophia in Baltimore. Douglass spent 7 years with the Aulds in Baltimore. Thomas Auld “lent” Douglass out to his brother – Hugh Auld and Hugh’s wife, Sophia in Baltimore. Douglass spent 7 years with the Aulds in Baltimore. Thomas and Hugh fought.. And Thomas wanted his slave back... Thomas and Hugh fought.. And Thomas wanted his slave back...

35. Thomas Auld “A thin-lipped, white-haired forty-year-old whose ‘leading characteristics,’ according to Frederick, were ‘intense selfishness’ and sanctimoniousness. Each morning Auld prayed that God would bless his home with bounty and basket; and then he starved Frederick while food rotted in the meat house” (Stauffer 31). Thomas Auld “A thin-lipped, white-haired forty-year-old whose ‘leading characteristics,’ according to Frederick, were ‘intense selfishness’ and sanctimoniousness. Each morning Auld prayed that God would bless his home with bounty and basket; and then he starved Frederick while food rotted in the meat house” (Stauffer 31).

36. Why was Douglass so insolent? City slave? City slave? Reading? Reading? Taste of freedom? Taste of freedom?

37. Introducing Edward Covey: The slave breaker Legendary as “nigger breaker” (Stauffer 32) Legendary as “nigger breaker” (Stauffer 32) “cunning of the serpent” and the craftiness of the fox. “cunning of the serpent” and the craftiness of the fox. Auld received over $100 in annual rent – close to $75,000 in today’s money. Auld received over $100 in annual rent – close to $75,000 in today’s money.

38. Life under Covey Fairly brutal Fairly brutal Douglass withdraws into himself Douglass withdraws into himself “Mr. Covey succeeded in breaking me. I was broken I body, soul and spirit” (33) “Mr. Covey succeeded in breaking me. I was broken I body, soul and spirit” (33) Became a “drinker” – tradition for masters to give their field hands whiskey on Saturday night and during Christmas week of vacation. Became a “drinker” – tradition for masters to give their field hands whiskey on Saturday night and during Christmas week of vacation. Solace in drink and walking near Chesapeake and watching ships.. Solace in drink and walking near Chesapeake and watching ships.. Gave up drink later – became a teetotaler Gave up drink later – became a teetotaler

39. Life under Covey continued Went to Auld and warned him that Covey was trying to hurt Douglass...Auld said.. Nonsense Went to Auld and warned him that Covey was trying to hurt Douglass...Auld said.. Nonsense -- story of root/etc – leave that to Frankie -- story of root/etc – leave that to Frankie Now lent to William Freeland. “Give a slave a bad master, and he aspires to a good master; give him a good master, and he wishes to become his own master. Such is human nature (41). – tried to run away – got caught.. Put in jail.. Thomas Auld threatens to sell him to Alabama (Douglass worth about 75,000 in today’s money....) but actually gives him back to his brother in Baltimore... Now lent to William Freeland. “Give a slave a bad master, and he aspires to a good master; give him a good master, and he wishes to become his own master. Such is human nature (41). – tried to run away – got caught.. Put in jail.. Thomas Auld threatens to sell him to Alabama (Douglass worth about 75,000 in today’s money....) but actually gives him back to his brother in Baltimore...

40. Back to Auld’s in Baltimore Apprentice caulker Apprentice caulker Hired out as skilled labor – brought wages back to Hugh Auld Hired out as skilled labor – brought wages back to Hugh Auld 1838 (18 year old) 1838 (18 year old) Douglass took the B&O railroad to freedom -- Douglass took the B&O railroad to freedom --

41. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/snhtml/sn voices07.html (religion) http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/snhtml/sn voices07.html (religion) http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/snhtml/sn voices07.html http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/snhtml/sn voices07.html http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/snhtml/sn voices01.html (education) http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/snhtml/sn voices01.html (education) http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/snhtml/sn voices01.html http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/snhtml/sn voices01.html http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/snhtml/sn voices02.html (trading) http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/snhtml/sn voices02.html (trading) http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/snhtml/sn voices02.html http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/snhtml/sn voices02.html