Thomas Jefferson- Nay or Yay?

[Cheezy the Wiz]

Moderator Action: Anybody seen Thomas Jefferson recently?

This may be my favorite Mod Action after "Moderator Action: Chill!"

 

[MantaRevan]

Moderator Action: Anybody seen Thomas Jefferson recently?

Hahahahahah

 

[Zkribbler]

My understanding that it was illegal to free slaves (except upon the owner's death). This is because (a) usually, the slaves that would have been "freed" would have been the sick and the old and (b) even if a young, healthy slave was freed, all he knew was field work, which was all done by slaves. So essentially, any freed slave would be forced to turned to a life of crime.

 

[Cutlass]

In some places they made it illegal to free slaves. But the reason was that they were unwilling to have free blacks in proximity to slaves, because the free blacks would be a bad influence and encourage and assist the slaves to escape or rebel.

 

[Traitorfish]

In some places they made it illegal to free slaves. But the reason was that they were unwilling to have free blacks in proximity to slaves, because the free blacks would be a bad influence and encourage and assist the slaves to escape or rebel.

A lot of this was in reaction to the Haitian Revolution, if I remember right?

 

[Zkribbler]

The Haitian rebellion took place ~1800, n'est pas?

 

[Traitorfish]

The Haitian rebellion took place ~1800, n'est pas?

1791-1804, yeah, so still within the lifespan of most Founding Fathers.

 

[Louis XXIV]

They also had years of experience dealing with runaway slaves joining with the Seminoles in Florida and essentially waging a guerrilla war. No need to elevate Haiti's significance, there were plenty of home grown reasons to fear having free blacks near slaves.

 

[Cutlass]

A lot of this was in reaction to the Haitian Revolution, if I remember right?

There were quite a few events. Slaves running away was pretty much true from day one. But fear of slave rebellions, particularly after an event (can't recall the name off the top of my head) where free blacks actually did start a small slave rebellion, and attempts by others to start other rebellions.

Slave escapes started about 1500, and was a constant part of the slave culture. Rebellions were a real fear. But the oppressions of free blacks is something that grew over time.

 

[Traitorfish]

There were quite a few events. Slaves running away was pretty much true from day one. But fear of slave rebellions, particularly after an event (can't recall the name off the top of my head) where free blacks actually did start a small slave rebellion, and attempts by others to start other rebellions.

Actually, I think I remember the one you're talking about. Read about a few months back, see if I can dig up the name from my notes...

But, yeah, I'm probably over-stating the importance Haitian Revolution a bit. Chalk it up to my reading on the period being pretty heavily centred on the French Revolution and its associated conflicts.

 

[Louis XXIV]

Actually, I think I remember the one you're talking about. Read about a few months back, see if I can dig up the name from my notes...

My guess is the Nat Turner rebellion (not the largest, but probably the most significant).

 

[GamezRule]

None of that is true. There is no magical force that restricts a slave from choosing who he works for or negotiating for better conditions. He can do those things so long as he is willing to accept the consequences. There is no fundamental difference between a slave and a 'free' man.

Lolwut?