1775 To 1830 Dbq Analysis

The years 1775 to 1830 held many changes for African Americans. Both free and enslaved African Americans reacted to the ever changing world around them. More and more slaves were being granted manumission and yet slavery expanded immensely. Many African Americans gained freedom from slavery as a result of the American Revolution, however slavery continued to expand due to protections for the constitution, the increasing production of cotton, westward expansion and the American perception of slaves. Free African Americans responded by petitioning the government, trying to appeal to both white and black publics, and organizing themselves both politically and socially, while enslaved African Americans responded by either purchasing their freedom or emancipating themselves and, if they were not able to do either, turning to rebellion. The American revolution was a major influence on the freeing of slaves from 1775 to 1830. It instilled the
concept of liberty into all the residents of America. African Americans were for the most part in total favor of the war. They saw it as a chance to fight not only for the independence of America, but for their freedom as well. They thought that by showing loyalty to America, they could free themselves. Paul Cuffe’s Petition in 1780 is an example of African American support of the Revolutionary war. (Doc. B) On the other hand, there was the Dunmore proclamation. This proclamation made by Lord Dunmore of Virginia in 1775 promised freedom to slaves who left their patriot masters in order to serve the royal army. (Doc. A) Though unsuccessful in terms of military tactics, the proclamation managed to free about 300 slaves in 1776. This proclamation- a direct result of the Revolutionary war- contributed to the freeing of slaves.
At the same time slaves were gaining freedom, the institution of slavery was expanding faster than ever. The invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney in 1793 called for more manual labor. Now that sifting through cotton was easier, more slaves were needed to pick cotton, as shown in the maps “Slavery in the United States”. (Doc. C) Just as the cotton gin called for the expansion of slavery, westward expansion and creations of new states, such as Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Louisiana, with similar cash crops called for more slavery. The acquisition of Florida, as shown in document C ended any refuge for slaves in the south, contributing greatly to this expansion as well. Perceptions about African Americans added to the idea that slavery was acceptable. Many people thought that people of color were inferior or even deformed according to Hosea Easton, an African American living in Boston in 1820.(Doc. I)
Free African Americans respond peacefully and effectively.
They faced the challenges brought on by changes by appealing to both a white and black audience when addressing the public. Absalom Jones, the first African American clergyman, and Richard Allen, founder of the first independent black denomination in the United States, of Philadelphia appealed to the white public, even saying that African Americans should have a great deal of gratitude towards white people because even as they "have held us in captivity, [they] are now pleading our cause with zeal". (Doc. E) On the other hand, David Walker in "Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World" does exactly what the title says, appeals to the colored people. Walker rallies the slaves saying "...we must and shall be set free...", appealing to their want of freedom, telling them that there is no way they cannot be set free.(Doc. J) Another response of free African Americans was to petition to the government. An example of this is Paul Cuffe's petition in 1780 in
Massachusetts.
Not all enslaved African Americans were so effective in their reactions, but some did react in an effective manner. Many slaves purchased their own freedom from money they had saved by working the land when the slave owner did not require it of them, much like Venture Smith described in his narrative. (Doc. 6). Many slaves, instead of purchasing their way out of slavery, found ways to self emancipate themselves. Some escaped to Florida, a safe haven for slaves, owned by the Spanish. Others just pledged their allegiance to Great Britain during the American Revolution. Some whites in favor of England, such as Lord Dunmore, promised the slaves emancipation for their loyalty to the crown. (Doc. A) Slaves who could did not choose either of these options resorted to rebellion as a response to change. Denmark Vesey, a free man, tried to plan the largest slave revolt in the history of the United States. Gabriel Prosser, a deeply religious man even used the bible to defend his attempted raid on Richmond, Virginia. (Doc. G)
In conclusion, the American Revolution and the notions of liberty that it instilled in Americans led to many slaves being freed, however the invention of the cotton gin, westward expansion and preconceived ideas of African Americans expanded slavery more than ever before. Most African Americans, both free and enslaved, reacted well to the challenges these changes brought on, although some slaves reacted violently and rebelled.