The Founding Era (De Jure Slavery)

The Founding Era

The topics that were discussed within this project presentation was the Emancipation Proclamation, Amistad Mutiny, The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, The American Anti-Slavery Society, The Kansas Nebraska Act, and The John Brown Raid. These were all events in time that surrounded the topic of slavery. For a long time, America has been divided on the topic of slavery. On whether America should be for or against it? 

The Emancipation Proclamation was a document issued and signed by President Abraham Lincoln on September 22,1862. But the Emancipation Proclamation was not practiced until January 1,1863. According to The Emancipation Proclamation, "On September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that as of January 1, 1863, all enslaved people in the states currently engaged in rebellion against the Union "shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free." Some people have the wrong concept and think that the Emancipation Proclamation abolished slavery in America permanently. But it only freed the slaves that were loyal to the Confederacy and going against the Union. 

Let's now switch our focus to what Amistad Mutiny was about. Amistad Mutiny was a slave rebellion that took place on a slave ship. According to Amistad Mutiny-Britannica, "Amistad mutiny, (July 2, 1839), slave rebellion that took place on the slave ship Amistad..." This rebellion occurred because slaves that were on that ship were taken from Western Africa and taken across the Atlantic. After being held captive for a little while they eventually rebelled because they wanted to recapture their freedom and return home. According to Amistad Mutiny, "In 1839...Taken from Western Africa and shipped across the Atlantic to be sold to the highest bidder, they wanted only to regain their freedom and return home."

Now that you know what Amistad Mutiny was about let's move on to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. The purpose of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was to help capture runaway slaves. This law that was passed also denied slaves the right to a jury trial and it also increased the penalty that would receive for conflicting with the process. The increased penalty was a $1,000 fine and being sentenced to six months in jail. According to Fugitive Slave Act of 1850- HISTORY, "...Compromise of 1850...this new law forcibly compelled citizens to assist in the capture of runaways. It also denied enslaved people the right to a jury trial and increased the penalty for interfering with the rendition process to $1,000 and six months in jail."

Now let's take a look at the American Anti-Slavery Society. The American Anti-Slavery Society was an abolition movement that took place in 1833. It was led by William Lloyd Garrison and the purpose of this movement was to help abolish slavery in America. According to American Anti-Slavery Society- Britannica, "American Anti-Slavery Society, (1833-70), promoter, with its state and local auxiliaries, of the cause of immediate abolition of slavery in the United States. As the main activist arm of the Abolition Movement...the society was founded in 1833 under the leadership of William Llyod Garrison."

Now you may wonder what the Kansas Nebraska Act was about. The Kansas Nebraska Act took place in 1854. The purpose of this was to try and split Kansas and Nebraska into two different territories. At that time Senator Douglas wanted to separate the two, to receive support from the South. According to Kansas Nebraska Act- QUIZLET, " Sen. Douglas wanted to divide the territory into the Nebraska Territory and the Kansas Territory; to gain support of the South, he decided slavery could be decided by popular sovereignty."

Last but not least let's take a look at the John Brown Raid. The purpose of the John Brown Raid was to promote the message of anti-slavery. John Brown was a Kansas abolitionist who strongly wanted to send the message that the act of slavery was not right. According to John Brown Raid- QUIZLET, "John Brown is a Kansas abolitionist, who believed slavery was wrong and was willing to fight to protect his beliefs by starting a slave revolt."

Based on the information given above you can see how all of these topics revolve around the subject of slavery. For a long time, America was fighting the battle of either being for or against slavery? And these are some examples of that.