This week we will explore the local, regional, and global undercurrents shaping the "Great Divergence" on the eve of the Civil War. Topics include social reform movements, the revolutions of 1848, and abolitionism.
Readings: David Walker's Appeal
Points of Entry:
The Appeal online -
Revolutions of 1848 -
Abolitionist Movement -
The Civil War:
Civil War Battlefields:
Reconstruction Era:
List and analyze 2 quotes from the reading. What are some of the arguments? How are they related to the larger themes of the week discussed in class?
“For my own part, I am glad Mr. Jefferson has advanced his positions for your sake; for you will either have to contradict or confirm him by your own actions, and not by what our friends have said or done for us; for those things are other men’s labours, and do not satisfy the Americans, who are waiting for us to prove to them ourselves, that we are MEN, before they will be willing to admit the fact; for I pledge you my sacred word of honour, that Mr. Jefferson’s remarks respecting us, have sunk deep into the hearts of millions of the whites, and never will be removed this side of eternity.” (30)
ReplyDelete“And I am awfully afraid that pride, prejudice, avarice and blood, will, before long prove the final ruin of this happy republic, or land of liberty!!!!” (45)
The first quote above combines political ambitions of slavery with the beliefs of the American people. Many people’s views are dependent upon how the political elites provide them with information. When someone like Thomas Jefferson gives an opinion on slavery, it is headed by millions. The ideas he sets forth set up a foundation of beliefs about slavery. The bottom line is how the Americans respond though. David Walker is questioning the intelligence in a manner, of the American people and how much they do depend upon what others say in order to form their own opinions. Things such as slavery can be obviously morally wrong but still people will support it. It is an anomaly to many. The fact that there are so many contradictions within the American’s way of dealing with slavery is mind boggling to millions of slaves as well. They claim the way certain nations treat people is horrendous yet do the same thing to their own people. The second quote is a bit of foreshadowing towards the civil war. The nation will come apart because of the deep seeded issues about slavery. The actions of the people will determine how the country will advance or how it will crumble. The values that the nation stands for are important in realizing a new nation of truthfulness towards these values as well. Will America be able to stand up for the values of liberty that it so keenly sought after for decades? David Walker questions this and realizes that there will be problems arising down the road and little did he know that it would be a war.
“I call upon the professing Christians, I call upon the philanthropist, I call upon the very tyrant himself, to show me a page of history, ether sacred or profane, on which a verse can be found, which maintains, that the Egyptians heaped the insupportable insult upon the children of Israel, by telling them they were not part of the human family.” (12)
ReplyDeleteThis is a description of the mental torture suffered by slaves that adds to the physical pain they suffered through. It is described as worse than the physicality of being a slave due to the deplorable conditions to which they were forced upon. Adding insult to injury can be related to this as the blacks were to have had been thought to be originated from monkeys as described by Americans and Christians alike. This passage was included to show the brutality that was being a slave within America and how it was worse than those of any other country.
“How can the preachers and people of America believe the Bible? Does it teach them any distinction on account of a man’s colour? Hearken, Americans! to the injunction of our lord and master, to his humble followers.” (43)
This passage directs its attention at the religious aspect of slavery and how it contradicts what people were preaching about equality. “To teach all nations” is one of the aspects forgotten by Americans and disregarded considering blacks came from African nations. Religion was completely ignored in equality within America due to slavery as being addressed here.
"The Blacks or Coloured People, are treated more cruel by the white Christians of America, than devils themselves ever treated a set of men, women and children of this earth."
ReplyDeleteIn seeking to evoke a social movement or critique one must speak the language of the oppressor. This strategy exists to assert oneself so that the oppressor understands and realizes that one is capable of advantagously manipulating their system. Here, Walker uses the "devil" not because it is a common word but instead because it is part of the Christian narrative. In essence, the wording is meant to associate the opressor with his or her own language. This creates a rhetorical experience for the "American white Christian" as Walker is forcing them to assess themselves as the "devil."
"...slave holders or tyrants, who acquire their daily bread by the blood and sweat of their more ignorant brethren..."
Why does Walker use tyrant? Again, he is smart, and knows that the white Americans will have trouble with someone calling them tyrants (which fits only the British to them) and the devil (which only fits the sub-human savage black to them). This is a strategy for self-assessment while reading such a document. Moreover, it puts the blame not on the blacks but on the white power structure. This preamble, again rooted in the American legal tradition of "preamble", asserts the phrase "Republican Land of Liberty!!!" In essence, aside from having the whites assess themselves, Walker also wants a black "spirit of inquiry and investigation respecting our miseries and wretchedness." Is this not a historical means to an end? Inquiry, and open-ended questions for door, better yet an opportunity for social change. But, the power structure remains, and the questions continue to be asked......
“Here a notorious wretch, with two other confederates had sixty of them in a gang, driving them like brutes- the men all in chains and handcuffs, and by the help of God they got their chains and handcuffs thrown of, and caught two of the wretches an put them to death, and beat the other until they thought he was dead, and left him for dead; however, he deceived them, and rising from the ground, this servile woman helped him upon his horse, and he made his escape.” (26)
ReplyDeleteThis is an appeal to humanity. Although the whites saw themselves as a superior race, above slaves in every aspect of life, this woman, a slave among a group of sixty, had helped in the escape of the man. She had helped a white man, so why could they not return the favor? This is one of the strongest points of appeal to slaves in that they too are humans, from the same family as whites. Whites came to accept this notion, changing the fortune of slavery and ending it once and for all.
“Mr. Caldwell, giving his opinion respecting us, at that ever memorable meeting, he says: ‘The more you improve the condition of these people, the more you cultivate their minds, the more miserable you make them in their present state. You give them a higher relish for those privileges which they can never attain, and turn what was intended as a blessing into a curse.’” (54)
What this quote is expressing is the reverse role that was treating slaves well. Although they would work more cooperatively, they in turn developed a taste for the privileges that drove them to fight for liberty. Thus, treating slaves better was not work in the favor of the plantation owner. This is both a reason why slaves pursued liberty more rapidly and why the treatment of slaves turned into a series of brutal massacres and events.
"What has the Lord to do with a gang of desperate wretches, who go sneaking about the country like robbers----- light upon his people wherever they can get a chance, binding them with chains and handcuffs, beat and murder them as if they were rattlesnakes?" (p. 27). Walker talks about the hypocrisy found within the actions of a certain colored woman. He talks about being deceived by this woman. Not only was she a woman, who have been generally thought of as kind and caring, but a colored woman; thus repesenting a form of ultimate betrayal. He calls for no mercy to be delivered upon said woman, and he goes on to state that anyone who stands up for her, is going against God's intent. This passage brings up an interesting measure regarding not only the previously mentioned betrayal, but disregarding said betrayal counts as an additional betrayal in Walker's eyes.
ReplyDelete"I pray that the Lord may undeceive my ignorant brethren, and permit them to throw away pretentions, and seek after the substance of learning," (p.34). Walker here emplores his fellow "non-ignorant" brethren to convert the unwise and the foolish from the white man's way of thinking. The white man's way of thinking keeps the slave in an institution that insists slavery is the status quo and the only way of life. Walker challenges his brethren to go beyond what is expected of them, and not just sit and take orders all day. Walker's challenge could be considered a key component to the African American case for formal education.
“In fact, they are so happy to keep in ignorance and degradation, and to receive the homage and labor of the slaves” (Pg 5)
ReplyDeleteThis quote refers to the use of the slave labor in America. It shows that salves had become such a big part of American lives and the American economy that they were almost becoming acceptable. People were seeing them purely for labor and forgetting about their actual belief systems. The text makes the implication that while it slavery seems like the most lucrative economic state, people everywhere, including god can hear the cry of the oppressed. This is similar to the ideas we have been talking about this year with colonial identity, ethnic groups, and religious identification.
“There is not a doubt in my mind, but that tyrants are in hope to perpetuate our miseries under them and their children until the final consumption of all things” (pg 38)
In this part of the text we see Walker making the appeal that the white people are tyrants for their actions. He says that they will not give up control over the black person for they are afraid. He also talks about how the religious white men go to church and practice their faith but if the same were to be done by a black man they would be severely beaten. The point being made is the hypocritical nature of the white men during this time period. They were greedy and saw the black man only for his wealth he could make within the economic structure. This contradiction was one of the major causing leading to the civil war. The issue of slavery plagued the American infrastructure until the eve of secession. The slave-based economy of the South felt they could survive on their own without needing help from the radical and free North. When the two sides could no longer agree, the cry for revolution was answered and Civil war broke out.
One of the aspects that struck me most about David Walker’s Appeal was the strong, but subtle religious arguments that Walker makes. For example he writes , “Hayti...is enough to convince the most avaricious and stupid of wretches –which is at this time, and I am sorry to say it, plagued with that scourge of nations , the Catholic religion; but I hope and pray God that she may yet rid herself of it, and adopt in its stead the Protestant faith....” (Walker, 41).
ReplyDeleteI find it fascinating that one of the major themes in Walker’s writing is the Christian relationship with slavery. Many times he remarks on the irony of Christians, who are supposed to live lives of grace and love, and their racial enslavement of the African race. Walker’s obvious dislike for the Catholic faith ties into the Spanish and Portuguese being the first nations to exports slaves from Africa. Although this topic is primarily discussed in his third article, Walker obviously ties his opinions on Christians, Catholics and faith throughout his appeal.
Walker writes this of the Africans: “I have known small collections of colored people to have convened together, for no other purpose than to worship God Almighty...when tyrants, calling themselves patrols, would ...burst in upon them and drag them out and commence beating them as they would rattlesnakes.” (Walker, 57).
Walker’s comparison of the African people to the nation of Israel allows the typical Christian reader to further understand the plight of the African slave. Many parallels can be drawn between the Jewish nation and the Africans. Both have been exported from their home, and as Walker believes, both are the “chosen” or favored people by God. Yet most distinctive is both the Jews and the Africans suffering as a collective people group under an oppressor. Walker brilliantly tied these two people groups together to establish a deeper understanding in his readers of the African’s deep oppression. In case northerners were in any doubt, and comparison of the Africans to the Jewish nation would instill a sense of the slaves’ deep desperation.
“The whites have always been an unjust, jealous, unmerciful, avaricious and blood-thirsty set of beings, always seeking after power and authority.” Pg 19
ReplyDeleteIn this quote, David Walker is trying to explain to everyone that the white people were terrible people. He is saying that white people only care about who is in charge and who has what land and they don’t care about who is in their way. Walker is turning the tables on white people and telling the world that they have no morals. This quote has a lot to do with ethnic groups and the freedoms that only white people had. It is similar to what we talked about it class about the black community and slaves.
“Our sufferings will come to an end, in spite of all Americans this side of eternity. Then we will want all the learning and talents among ourselves, and perhaps more, to govern ourselves.” Pg 17
In this quote, David Walker is trying to give a sense of hope. He is saying that one day, the Americans will not have all the power and blacks will be able to be free. That one day, they will be mayors, governors, and even presidents. Walker is trying to tell the black community that the Americans will not rule forever and that one day blacks will be able to do what they want and become what they want. This quote from Walker has a lot to do with slave labor and the lack of freedom blacks had in early America.
".. particularly those who are ignorantly in league with slave holders or tyrants, who acquire their daily bread by the blood and sweat of their more ignorant brethren.."( Walker 4).
ReplyDeleteHere Walker is basically stating that many of the people have been brainwashed. They now believe that is it right to have slaves in order to keep their lives the same. Also he is calling out those people because he says they are users that are only trying to make a better lives for themselves, but this isn't possible.
"Fear not the number and education of our enemies, against whom we shall have to contend for our lawful right; guaranteed to us by our Maker; for why should we be afraid, when God is, and will continue to be on our side?"( Walker 14).
It is ironic what Walker says because he is using the same words as Jefferson. Where in the paragraph above Walker is raging against Jefferson. He also continues to talk about slavery and the reasons as to why he is against it. The quote is looking at how God will look down upon the whites because they are making innocent people their slaves.
“I shall give the world a development of facts, which are already witnessed in the courts of heaven” ( pg 24)
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this quote it really opened my eyes because Walker is clearly trying to argue that the white Christians are not acting like they should towards African Americans. African Americans have been receiving much pain and suffering from the white Christians. They see themselves as superior towards them. He clearly calls out the Christians saying “their own heaven sees that what they are saying and doing is going against what they believe”
“And I am awfully afraid that pride, prejudice, avarice and blood, will, before long prove the final ruin of this happy republic, or land of liberty!!!!” (Pg45)
scr4899 explains this quote well with the fact that it might be foreshadowing the Civil War, but I don’t really agree with that fact that Walker says that it is a happy republic. The United States during this time has been experiencing tough times. People have been pushing west and clashing between political views. I believe that it wasn’t a happy time, but people want to believe that they are going through good times.
" Millions of whom, are this day, so ignorant and avaricious, that they cannot conceive how God can have an attribute of justice, and show mercy to us because it pleased Him to make us black-which colour, Mr. Jefferson calls unfortunate!!!!!!" pg 14
ReplyDeleteIn this quote Walker talks about how God make them black for a reason. If we are all created equal then why are blacks slaves. God made us all the way he wanted and that is what Walker keeps on emphasizing throughout the book. He also brings up Jefferson and how he has racist views and does not believe in equal rights for black slaves.
"The whites have always been an unjust, jealous, unmerciful, avaricious and blood-thirsty set of beings, always seeking after power and authority." pg 19
In this quote Walker talks about how unfair that all white people are. He brings up examples of how different white people around Europe treat other people and how they always want more power and authority. They will not stop until the have what they want and will treat others as inferior beings.
Walker's Appeal is very important in the sense that it was a tool used to enlighten the slaves of the time who were kept ignorant to the injustice they faced at the hands of the white Americans.
ReplyDelete“It is a fact that in Southern and Western States, their are millions that hold us in chains or in slavery, whose greatest object and glory, is centered in keeping us sunk in the most profound ignorance and stupidity, to make us work without remunerations for our services”(55). The slaves were uneducated and only know that they were born into this tough life full of hard labor and poor treatment. By sending these small Appeals out in the clothes made for slaves Walker hoped to start change the future for slaves by letting them see that their skin color does not decide their humanity. Walker addresses this as well
“ Have they not, after reducing us to this deplorable condition of slaves under their feet, held us up as descending originally from the tribes of Monkeys or Orang-Outangs”(12). The skin color black was referred to as unfortunate during this air reducing the slaves to animals rather than men. Walker uses his Appeal to show slaves that they do not deserve the treatment the withstand and that the injustices faced will soon be ended.
“In fact, they are so happy to keep in ignorance and degradation, and to receive the homage and labor of the slaves” (5)
ReplyDeleteThis quote is reffering to the American slave labor and It shows that salves have become such a big part to the American Colonies and more importantly the economy. Americans were seeking slaves purely for labor purposes and forgetting about their genuine belief systems. The quote makes the allegation that slavery seems like the most beneficial economic state where people everywhere can hear the cry of the oppressed.
“Here a notorious wretch, with two other confederates had sixty of them in a gang, driving them like brutes- the men all in chains and handcuffs, and by the help of God they got their chains and handcuffs thrown of, and caught two of the wretches an put them to death, and beat the other until they thought he was dead, and left him for dead; however, he deceived them, and rising from the ground, this servile woman helped him upon his horse, and he made his escape.” (26)
This text is pretty much an appeal to civilization. The whites had seen themselves as a superior race above slaves in every aspect. This woman whom was a slave as well had helped many escapes even though she herself had helped a white man. This is one of the strongest points of appeal to slaves in the fact that they too are humans just like the whites and that they do deserve their freedom after all they were the ones who supported and made a foundation to the country. The whites agreed to this notion in the North and ended it once and for all but in the South many relied on their slaves and thus creating the Civil War.
"the man who would not fight under our lord and master....to be delivered from the most wretched, abject and servile slavery....ought to be kept with all his children or family in slavery or in chains to be butchered by his cruel enemies"(14-15)
ReplyDeleteThis quote is significant in a sense that it is very insertional to the people whom is is speaking out to. It reminds me of the quote from MLK "a man who is not fit to die for something is not fit to live at all" in a sense this is exactly what David walker is trying to say to his people are being oppresses. Someone who will not fight to free them self should stay in that chains of slavery.
"The whites have always been and unjust jealous unmerciful avaricious and blood thirsty set of beings always seeking after power and authority." (19)
this passage shows the people of colors perspective on the way white people were, in a way it racist because its a generalization. Even though some of it may be true because slave owners were white. But on the other hand there were white people who were against slavery. This just goes to show how bad some white were to slaves that they actually believed this geralization to be true.
“I say, that unless we refute Mr. Jefferson’s arguments respecting us, we will only establish them”.
ReplyDelete- Walker addresses Thomas Jefferson and how he had commented in speeches that whites were superior over blacks and that the races should not be mixed in any way. Thomas Jefferson also said that Africans should be removed from America before the chance to mix races could even have the chance to occur. Walker explains how powerful a message Jefferson was sending out of and how it was going against racial equality. Coming from one of the Presidents of the United States, it shows that America was headed in the wrong direction in terms of human rights. This quote ties in with the themes we have been discussing in class because with the issues of how the government interferes with the issues of human rights.
“They think because they hold us in their infernal chains of slavery, that we wish to be white, or of their color – but they are dreadfully deceived – we wish to be just as it please our Creator to have made us, and no avaricious and unmerciful wretches, have any business to make slaves of, or hold us in slavery”.
-Walker is describing how Africans are stronger than the society actually thinks that they are. Walker explains how Africans need to come to action and fight against all the pains of slavery and racial injustice they have faced. Walker is saying that since whites believed they were the superior race that the population of slaves would believe the same idea. Walker is trying to prove that God is higher then all acts of slavery and misconduct, so that all they need to act as a whole to prove that all people are equal under Him. The quote ties in with the themes discussed in the class because Walker deals with the issues regarding how Africans can’t let race define who they are and fight against what has been brainwashed and forced into the minds of everyone in society for generations.