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Peculiar Institution
The Peculiar Institution is defined as slavery. Slavery in the United States began in 1619 when slaves were brought to the 13 colonies. There was a time when the north and south had an equal number of slaves, but time and technology progressed, ending with the south dependent on labor and the north industrialized. This lead to constant disagreements between the north and south and resulted in the American Civil War. Slavery ended in the United States with the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. -
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American Revolution
The American Revolution, also known as the Revolutionary War, was the war between the British and the 13 colonies as the patriots wanted independence from Britain. The war started with the Battle of Lexington and Concord and ended with the Treaty of Paris.
During the American Revolution, the British recruited slaves from Patriot masters, promising freedom if they worked toward the British effort. As a result, George Washington lifted the black ban enlistment on the Patriot Army. -
Declaration of Independence (American Revolution continued)
During the American Revolution, the well known Declaration of Independence was formed and signed, declaring independence from Britain. Many colonists acted after hearing the declaration with destroying signs of royalty. The British however made the point that the declaration did not apply to the colonists' slaves. The "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness" was not or ever intended for any slaves. -
American Revolution Picture
This is a picture of George Washington leading his troops across the Delaware for a surprise attack on the British. -
The US Constitution continued
...how the government responds to the laws set in place. Amendments were responses themselves, many laws needed to be edted or adapted as well as new laws needed to be put into place. -
The US Constitution
The Convention, composed of delegates of 12 states, were the ones that formed a new constitution.
During Convention meetings, slavery was in topic three times. Many times slavery came up in topics of discussion. It was met with outrage and high tempers and which were answered with appeals to local wealth and means. Slavery was a problem the Convention had deemed couldn't be helped.
The constitution wasn't perfect even with its 27 amendments. Many even today criticize... (see below) -
Compromise of 1820
The Compromise of 1820, or the Missouri Compromise, was an agreement between pro and anti-slavery members of Congress. It prohibited slavery above the Louisianna territory except for inside the boundries of Missouri. It also admitted Maine as a Union state to create an equal representation in Congress.
This compromise caused a fear in many southerners though, a fear that a federal government could cause an end of slavery in the US. -
Nullification Crisis
In the 1820's, the US faced an economic downturn. In 1828, the Tariff of 1828 was formed, its major goal to protect industries in the north, however having the effect of southerners having to pay more for goods that weren't attainable.
South Carolina created their Ordinance of Nullification in 1832, making the tariffs that were "unconstitutional" have no effect within their borders. President Jackson then created the Nullification Proclamation, threating to send gov. troops... (see below) -
Nullification Crisis continued
... to enforce the tariffs.
The Nullification Crisis was the lead into the fear that the federal government had the power to allow or abolish slavery. Many in the south wanted to keep their slaves, so they thought of the federal government as a threat. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 was a series of 5 bills that diffused a agruement between the south and north. It prevented further conflict after a 4-year disagreement.
One section is also known as the Fugitive Slave Act. It required federal officials as well as ordinary citizens to return escaped slaves to their masters, whether or not he or she lived in a free state. The Fugitive Slave Act was very pro-slavery and was crucial to meet Southern demands. (see below) -
Compromise of 1850 continued
...The most noticable eaction came from Boston, a state famous at the time for its abolitionist behavior. The immediate response to the Fugitive Slave Act was to form anti-slavery organizations to help prevent legal slave kidnapping and help slave stay free. -
Kansas- Nebraska Act
The Kansas- Nebraska Act created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. It had the effect of reapealing the Missouri Compromise of 1820 by allowng the people of the territory to vote on whether the state should allow or prohibit slavery. It however became problematic when voters constantly disagreed to be pro or anti-slavery. This lead to the cause of a bloody civil war also known as Bleeding Kansas. -
Dred Scott Decision
The Dred Scott Decision was made by the US Surpreme Court. The ruling proclaimed that Africans brought to the States as slaves as well as their descendents (even if they were now free) did not apply to the US Constitution and would never be a US citizen. Citizenship could never be attained by African-Americans.
Many southerners rejoiced as the decision was announced. The south now had a victory as the Surpreme Court appeared to agree with southern thoughts. Many abolitionists...(see below) -
Dred Scott Decision continued
...thought of the Dred Scott Decision as injust and unconstitutional. It also was viewed as a problem for all Democrats who supported the Kansas- Nebraska act. The decision declared now that Kansas could not prohibit slavery in their state, even though the matter was not before the Surpreme Court. -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was made by President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. It freed 3.1 million of the 4 million slaves and instantly freed 50,000 of them. It did not however, give constitutional rights to any free or soon to be free slaves.
Many slaves after bing told of their freedom celebrated. However, the white southerners were not so pleased. Slaves had been used for all things in the Confederacy, now that they were free, could not be used...(see below) -
Emancipation Proclamation continued
... torward the war effort anymore. Robert E. Lee, head general of the Confederacy, saw the proclamation as a way for the north to gain more troops, and preventing the south to do so in the process. He sent for an order for more troops, but it was never answered. The Emancipation Proclamation was the gateway for abolishing slavery.
