Ch 2: Slavery in the Early United States
About This Chapter
Slavery in the Early United States - Chapter Introduction and Learning Objectives
Slavery played an important part in the development of early America, and this chapter will help shed light on the causes and players. You will be able to watch brief video lessons about the connection between the Founding Fathers and slavery. Our quick self-assessments will allow you to check your understanding of the concepts. The chapter will enable you to know the following:
- Characteristics and opposition to slavery in the early United States
- Foundation of the slave trade and the South's response and slave code
- Why some of the Founding Fathers, including Thomas Jefferson, owned slaves
- Reason for the Three-Fifths Compromise and slavery being allowed in the U.S. Constitution
- Why slavery was viewed as economical
| Video | Objective |
|---|---|
| Slavery in Early America: Characteristics & Opposition | Distinguish how slavery came about and its effects. |
| Slavery in America: Cotton, Slave Trade and the Southern Response | Survey the ideas behind the creation of slavery in the U.S. and well-being of slaves. |
| America's Founding Fathers & Slave Ownership | Consider why many Founding Fathers were slave owners. |
| Thomas Jefferson's Contradictory Views on Slavery | Dissect the ideas and actions of Thomas Jefferson on slavery. |
| The Three-Fifths Compromise: Definition, Summary & Quiz | Outline the Three-Fifth's Compromise and population count of slaves. |
| The Northwest Ordinance: Definition, Summary & Quiz | Connect the Northwest Ordinance, and its role in the expansion of the United States. |
| The Issue of Slavery in the American Constitution | Explain how the Constitution enabled the continuation of slavery. |
| Slave Codes in the South: Definition & Examples | Diagram the ways in which the south implemented slave code. |
| The Economics of American Slavery | Analyze the use of slavery in the economy. |
1. Slavery in Early America: Characteristics & Opposition
The institution of slavery in early America was a source of both economic profits and divisive tensions. It began as a peculiar institution of colonial society and blossomed into a sectional issue that threatened to destroy the young United States.
2. Slavery in America: Cotton, Slave Trade and the Southern Response
The United Sates was conceived on the idea of freedom and the rights of all people, but early on, an institution took hold that was the exact opposite of that idea. In this lesson, find out the roots of slavery in the States, how it took hold, how slaves lived, and how they resisted the bonds of slavery.
3. America's Founding Fathers & Slave Ownership
In this lesson, we'll examine America's Founding Fathers and their interactions with slavery. We'll identify which Founders owned slaves and which did not, and we'll explore their views on the issue.
4. Thomas Jefferson's Contradictory Views on Slavery
In this lesson, we'll examine Thomas Jefferson's contradictory views on slavery, including the contradiction between his stated view and his personal practice of owning slaves. We will explore the complexities involved with this issue.
5. The Three-Fifths Compromise: Definition & Summary
While drafting the Constitution, the Founding Fathers argued about how slavery and representation could coexist. Learn here why the Founders decided to allow some, but not all, slaves to count toward states' population.
6. The Northwest Ordinance: Definition & Summary
In this lesson, we will learn about the Northwest Ordinance, the 1787 act of Congress that laid the groundwork for adding new territory to the United States.
7. The Issue of Slavery in the American Constitution
Slavery was a divisive issue in the United States from the beginning. In this lesson, we'll see how debate over slavery directly impacted the drafting and amending of the US Constitution.
8. Slave Codes in the South: Definition & Examples
At the height of slavery, many parts of the South had more slaves than free people. Learn how the fear of revolt combined with the monetary investment slaves represented drove the Southern states to enact the slave codes.
9. The Economics of American Slavery
Slavery was an institution that drastically impacted the economy of the United States. This lesson explores the early growth of slavery and how it helped shape both the Southern and national economy.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the History 306: The American Civil War Era course
- Understanding History & Primary Sources
- The Abolitionist Movement in America
- The Pre-Civil War Sectional Crisis in the U.S.
- Influential American Civil War Writers
- Rising Tensions in Pre-Civil War America
- Southern Secession from the Union
- Politics, Industry & Economy in Civil War America
- American Civil War Battles in 1861
- American Civil War Battles in 1862
- American Civil War Battles in 1863
- American Civil War Battles in 1864
- American Civil War Battles in 1865
- Important Figures in the American Civil War
- Military Strategies in the American Civil War
- Life Following the American Civil War
- Reconstruction After the American Civil War
- Required Assignments for History 306
- Studying for History 306