Table of Content

Pages

Posts

Reviewing History In A Slavery Biography

By Sandra Ward


Anyone whom has ever studied history most likely knows about the early days of America and the American Slave trade. There were only a few slaves whom left behind documentation related to the life and times during that era. While this is the case, there were others, including one publicist and writer, whom also provided a great deal of information in a slavery biography.

While there were some well known high profile individuals born into slavery whom have shared many of those stories, few were left behind by the original slaves. For, in many cases, none of those individuals were taught how to read or write. Rather, many spent long hours working on farms and picking cotton in the hot sun without pay.

One of the most well known individuals whom worked long and hard toward freeing the slaves is that of William Lloyd Garrison. For Mr. Garrison was a publicist, writer and pro-abolitionist in the early days of the slave trade. As such, while others had attempted work with regards to freeing the slaves, none were successful. For, it was not until Mr. Garrison started the abolitionist movement that people took freeing the slaves seriously.

Something which has often been overlooked in articles, books, films and stories, is that in the late 18th century, it almost seem if slavery was coming to an end. In fact, in 1777, a number of Northern states abolished the taking and holding of slaves. After which, the demand for cheap cotton became a catalyst for the growing slave trade in the South.

The Louisiana purchase in 1803 contributed to the rising population of slaves in the South. For, Louisiana provided fertile ground on which to grow cotton. As a result, workers were needed for the gin and cotton field. As such, plantation owners and farmers began purchasing slaves to work the gins and pick the cotton.

Later, when Garrison started fighting for the release of these individuals, there were two views with regards to a possible outcome. One being that slaves would be set free without pay and could either stay on as farm workers in exchange for room board, basically meaning nothing changed. Whereas, the other would be that, individuals once released would be sent back to Africa.

While Garrison most likely contributed to the freedom of slaves, few people realize the young publicist was also responsible for determining how to do so. While it was Mr. Garrison whom started the Abolitionist movement, it is often President Abraham Lincoln and the First Congress of 1875 which gets the most credit. For, it was during that year when the president provided the Emancipation Proclamation freeing all American slaves.

While this is the case, the many articles and other stories published in the abolitionist newspaper "The Liberator, " no doubt had an impact on the success of the movement. For, even the well known author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin, " and others of that time were happy to see an end to slavery. As such, it is more than likely that "The Liberator, " Mr. Garrison and members of congress had more to do with freeing the slaves than did President Abraham Lincoln.




About the Author:



Post a Comment