#8 Reconstruction: After the Civil War

      Reconstruction: After the Civil War

The Civil War was a war fought in the United states between the Union and the Confederacy. The war was being fought over the tension on slavery. The south wanted to keep slavery alive while the other states where fighting for the freedom of enslaved colored people. 

https://historycollection.com/6-reasons-north-won-civil-war/

The south ended up losing the Civil War. This lead to slavery being abolished, and almost 400 million enslaved people were freed. President Abraham Lincolin signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 which was a legal document freeing slaves. This was a time of change and hope for people of color. However people of color still faced a lot of hardships throughout the following years to come. Some of these being hunger, economic depression, lack of housing, and isolation from not finding their family members who they were separated from as a result of slavery. 

https://historydetectives.nyhistory.org/2019/01/who-was-freed-today-in-1863-how-to-read-the-emancipation-proclamation-with-kids/

Abraham Linclon was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865. This caused Vice President Andrew Johnson to be sworn in as President. He was from the South, but put into place the Freedmen's Bureau, an organization that took away land from confederates from the South and gave it to newly freed slaves. However, a lot of question arose during this time like education, segregation, and transportation for people of color still being an issue. 

https://www.history.com/topics/early-20th-century-us/jim-crow-laws

Soon after this organization was made, the Jim Crow Laws were put into place. This caused extreme segregation. It also forced people of color to get jobs with white employers. It caused families to continue to be separated, to have to move, and experience even more pain. 

https://www.eater.com/2014/12/15/7393917/50-years-ago-supreme-court-ended-segregation-restaurants

Even though there was a lot of progress made towards equality for African Americans. There was still hate out in the world for them. Organizations were formed solely on the premise of  hate, and committed crimes towards people of color.  One of the most recognized organizations was the KKK. African Americans still had a long road ahead of them to obtain equality, however the end of the Civil War was a turning point for them.

Extra Credit: "Glory" Movie Reflection

                                          

“Glory”- directed by Edward Zwick

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097441/

The film, Glory, describes the monumental story of how the 54 Massachusetts Regiment formed, the events of the civil war, and the activities that caused the charge to Fort Wagner. The plotline follows Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, who leads the 54 Massachusetts Regiment. Shaw descended from a wealthy, white family and worked to lead ex-slaves and people of color through this difficult time. He led one of the first african american regiments, in which his army faught to dismaintle the slavery system. Shaw was constantly trying to understand the struggles of people of color during these oppressive times.  

https://www.nps.gov/articles/54th-massachusetts-regiment.htm

I personally have never watched a movie on war before, however by the end of the movie I was flooded with an overwhelming amount of emotion. This movie showed the raw truth and pain that war inflicts and how it affects the soldiers fighting in the war. Throughout the movie letters that Shaw wrote were voiced over. These letters helped me comprehend what Shaw was going through, and all the challenges that were arising. The letters also helped me feel emotionally connected to him and the events occuring.The scene before the assault on Fort Wagner was tremendously heartwarming seeing them bond as a team and the determination for the cause was inspirational.  The movie has an overwhelming theme of Patriotism to free people of color in the South. Seeing the enormous amount of deaths of all the men who knew they might die, brought a tear to my eye. However, the lives lost sparked other people of color to rise to the challenge and fight harder for change to occur. 

https://www.theaceblackblog.com/2013/09/movie-review-glory-1989.html

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/fort-wagner

#7 EOTO Number One- What I learned Blog Post

Professor Smith- I was given permission by you to make this post a regular one since I did a Key Post on the Mock Trial on what I learned!

An EOTO is a presentation to the class as a whole where both sides of a time period or event are presented with hard facts. During this event, the class was learning about pro-slavery events and events to try to abolish slavery. The side of the event I was assigned to talk about was Pro-Slavery events in the 1800s. It was a collaborative and engaging way to learn new information as a class. It also helped me practice my public speaking skills, which I need to continue working on for future classes and career options.

https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/fugitive-slave-acts

Throughout my EOTO it was surprising to me to learn all of the pro-slavery events that occurred during the 1850s. I knew I had to narrow my scratch down to one selection to really focus on. I ultimately decided to learn more about what the fugitive slave act is. The fugitive slave act of 1850 was an act approved by Congress on September 18, 1850. This act states that runaway slaves must be returned to their owners to slave states. It also says the federal government was also responsible for making sure the slaves were returned and that this act was enforced (by fines, marshalls, and increased jail time). This act supported slavery by making sure that slave owners were able to keep their slaves. If a slave ran away they were supported by congress to find them within the US, keeping slavery alive.

https://www.britannica.com/event/Fugitive-Slave-Acts

Link to our EOTO powerpoint: 

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1bH9jwbWpT2p0IFIaLbdrBLfaSpPbBewjtw-RaaZQ_2w/edit#slide=id.g35f391192_00

https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-fugitive-slave-act-1773376

#6 Mock Trial Key Post State vs Mann- Key Post

Professor Smith- I did my Key Post on what I learned in the trial based on the notes. I participated in the EOTO and got permission from you to do my EOTO post as a regular post! 

Thank you so much, Gianna

In class, we were able to critically explore a Mock trial on the case of State (Lydia vs John Mann). This case was about when John Mann hired a slave, Lydia, from her owner. She then tried to escape from punishment, so Mann proceeded to shoot and wound her. Our class did a fake trial on this situation. This is where the facts of the case were presented, outside sources were brought in and came to a ruling at the end of the case.

https://www.ncpedia.org/state-v-john-mann

Here are some of the arguments made on the side of Lydia. Lydia was shot by her slave owner, where a 10 dollar fine was given. Not only is that unjust but it completely disregards Lydia as a human being. This ruling is ethically wrong for Lydia and her family. Lydia is a person with human rights, and this case should look at her as a person.

https://cwnc.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/exhibits/show/thomas-ruffins-decision/ruffins-decision/ruffins-decision

 In a similar case in 1823 State versus Hale. Hale was a slave who was murdered and the court said that there it is an indictable offense. This helps prove that this case should have the same understanding as Stale vs Hale. They argued that this case is a simple case of criminal law and should be seen as criminal battery. 

Mann’s actions showed neglect because he did not care for her. Even though she is a slave, she is a human being and should be charged as a human, no matter race and if she is a slave. Hence this case is abuse, unethical, and the court should rule Mann as guilty. 

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_related_education_network/how_courts_work/

On the other side, John Mann’s team argued that the 10 dollars was an unjust punishment and that he did nothing wrong. Here are some of the arguments made by his team. Slaves are not citizens of the US, they are property. Mann is entitled to do what he wants to his property and the court can not deny that to him. 

https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration

They argued that slave owners need to discipline their slaves in order for things to move properly. He did not commit battery because one can not be responsible for battery against property. For example, if someone commits battery against their chair in their living room this is no crime. They said Lydia was in the wrong because she was trying to escape punishment that Mann was entitled to do. 

https://www.lexisnexis.com/community/casebrief/p/casebrief-state-v-mann

Slavery is normal in the south and masters have absolute ownership over them. They brought religion into the case explaining that Jesus never talked wrong about slavery and in the Bible, these events are completely normal, also that this has always been part of civilization. All in all, Lydia was in the wrong for running away from punishment, Mann owned her and can do whatever he wants to her making the charges unjust against him. 

https://law.jrank.org/pages/2446/State-v-Mann-1829.html

After the trial; we the viewers of the case were able to talk as a whole about the points brought up on both sides. In the present day, Mann would be one hundred percent in the wrong. However, looking at the case in 1829 in the South the ruling would have fallen under Manns side. The Judge of the case in the Mock trial sided with Mann. The key point that helped in this ruling was that Mann could not commit a crime on his property. 

https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/causes-of-the-civil-war-5ed41c93-660b-4876-95cf-aeecc5be0ff9

I really enjoyed this Mock trial and learning in a more interactive way. It was amazing to see my peers do research and deliberate on this tough topic. I cannot wait for the next mock trial we have in class and being able to take part in the actual debate. 

Picture from Mock Trial in Class: 

As you can see from the picture below we set up class like a court. Different students were able to go up and present to the class, and the judge the facts. 

#5- What I learned from Someone Else's Town Hall Presenation

The town hall meeting was an engaging and exciting time for my classmates and me to come together and learn new information. We were split up into two different sides. The first side was pro-slavery and the other side was wanting to end slavery. We were able to present our findings in a mock town hall meeting.

https://www.biography.com/writer/david-walker

Being on the pro-slavery side I was able to learn about different points of view from important historical figures who wanted to end slavery. One of the figures I got to learn about is David Walker. David Walker was from North Carolina but moved to Charleston which was a safe place for black men. He went on a tour of churches, speaking out against slavery and trying to help free people that were enslaved.

https://blackthen.com/black-abolitionists-david-walker-fiery-militant/

In 1828, he was considered to be one of the top activists and spokesmen against slavery. He then became a very successful writer. He wrote about slavery, racism, and various other issues seen in the 1800s in the United States. He made a change in the world with his words and stood up for what he believed to be truly right! 

https://kdemetrius.blogspot.com

Hence this was a really amazing activity that I am happy I was able to take part in. I was able to learn so much information in such a unique way. David Walker was a hero to many and helped so many people with his words and bravery.