Welcome to Black History Month

1. Welcome to Black History Month Black History Month was established in 1926 by Carter G. Woodsen for the purpose of educating Americans about the contributions and achievements of African AMERICANS during a time when American history ignored positive accomplishments from minorities. 2012 Theme – African American Women

2. Black History Spotlight • 1619 the first Africans arrive in Jamestown, Virginia • Slaves owned by the Dutch who were lost were traded for supplies • Made indentured servants • Worked, gained freedom, some later became plantation owners and slave owners

3. Black History SpotlightLucy Terry • Earliest known Black American poet • “Bar’s Fight”written in 1746 not published until 1855 – about the last American Indian attack on her village of Deerfield, Massachusetts.

4. Phillis Wheatley 1st African American to publish a book in the United States Read and wrote 3-4 languages by age 12 To His Excellency General Washington “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral Black History Month

5. Black History SpotlightWentworth Cheswell • Hero of Revolutionary War; midnight ride in New Hampshire • 1st elected African American serving as Justice of Peace from 1805 to 1825 • Used as positive example of assimilation of African Americans during Missouri Compromise debate.

6. Revolutionary hero who spied on British for Washington and helped provide information needed to win victory at Yorktown Awarded freedom and life-long pension by State of Virginia. Black History SpotlightJames Armistead

7. Benjamin Banneker 1st African American scientist 1st clock Publishes almanac from 1792-1798 Instrumental in building of Washington DC. Black History Spotlight

8. Black History Spotlight 1787 Northwest Ordinance makes Slavery illegal in the Northwest Territory. The U.S Constitution states that Congress may not ban the slave trade until 1808 and uses 3/5 Compromise for apportionment of representatives in each state.

9. Black History Spotlights – Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable • Haitian born • Fought in Revolutionary War • Captured by British • Moved west • Founder of Chicago, Illinois

10. Carolina born slave or Nigerian born and then enslaved writer who published his biography in 1789 showing cruelties of Middle Passage Successful abolitionist with great influence Helped bring about support of ending the British slave trade. Black History SpotlightOlaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa

11. Black History SpotlightThe Cotton Gin • Eli Whitney’s invention greatly increases the demand for slave labor after everyone believed slavery would end naturally.

12. 1793 Congress passes the first federal law requiring the return of runaway slaves who had escaped and crossed state lines. Black History Spotlight1st Federal Fugitive Slave Law

13. Virginia blacksmith slave who could read organizes and leads 1st recorded slave revolt with intent to march on Richmond. Plans discovered and Prosser and a number of those with him were hung. Tightening of slave laws: no travel without passes, no reading, no school. Black History SpotlightGABRIEL PROSSER

14. William Clark’s slave Traveled as equal with Lewis and Clark west to explore Louisiana Purchase; had equal vote in decision making. 1st person sent in to Indian villages to break ice for Corps of Discovery since many Indians hadn’t seen African Americans before. Became scout/leader on wagon trails west. Black History SpotlightYork

15. Black History SpotlightCongress bans Slave Trade • 1808 Congress passes law forbidding the importation of slaves from Africa. • 2nd law preventing growth of slavery

16. Charles Ball was escaped slave that joined the American navy and tried to convince runaways to return to the U.S. side 15 percent of the U.S. Navy during this war were African Americans 1814 British offered any runaways freedom to choose between serving in British military or being sent as FREE settlers to British colonies 4,000 runaways joined and were resettled; greatest emancipation of slaves until the Civil War Fought against Colonel Jackson in Florida. Black History SpotlightThe War of 1812 On the American Side… On the British side

17. 1811 80 million pounds of cotton shipped overseas; cotton becomes #1 cash crop of South and U.S. 1814 invention of textile mill creates market for cotton in New England and Northern states furthering growth of slavery Black History SpotlightCotton

18. Established Free African Society in Philadelphia in 1787 Established 1st independent, free Black church – the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1816. Still around today with 3 million members and 7,000 congregations. Spotlight Black HistoryRichard Allen

19. Spotlight Black HistoryMissouri Compromise • 1820 The Missouri Compromise bans slavery north of the 36, 30 line – the southern boundary of Missouri

20. 1822 Freed African American carpenter (had purchased his freedom) organized largest slave revolt ever to take/siege Charleston, South Carolina because the city closed the African Church there with a membership of 3,000. He and 34 others are caught and hung. Black History SpotlightDenmark Vesey

21. 1831: Begins publishing The Liberator, a newspaper committed to the complete abolition of slavery. Later helps Frederick Douglass begin his own publication The Northern Star 1 of most famous figures in Abolitionist Movement Black History SpotlightWilliam Lloyd Garrison (a white man)

22. Preacher who led most significant slave uprising in American history in 1831 Traveled through country side in Southampton County, Virginia killing 60 whites. Takes Virginia militia to capture. Convicted, sentenced to death and hanged plus 56 others thought to be part of plot.200 others were killed by white militias and mobs reacting from fear. Virginia passes stricter slave laws: no assembly, white ministers have to be at black worship services, no education. Black History SpotlightNat Turner

23. Leader of the Amistad revolt, a boat captured off the coast of New York and Connecticut. He and others were charged with murder and mutiny. Became major court case that went all the way to the Supreme Court where he and all were found innocent. Returned to Africa Black History SpotlightSengbe Pieh (Joseph Cinque)

24. Black History SpotlightFrederick Douglass • 1846 begins publishing The Northern Star, an abolitionist newspaper • Poignant Speaker and Debater against slavery • Writes “Narrative” compelling many to join abolitionist cause. • 1848 Seneca Falls; supporter women’s rights. • Advised President Lincoln about establishing African American troops • 54th Massachusetts • 13th, 14th, 15th Amendments “What to the slave, is the fourth of July?”

25. Escapes Maryland slave owner in 1849 and becomes one of the most effective leaders of the Underground Railroad. Black History SpotlightHarriet Tubman

26. Black History SpotlightWestern Expansion & Slavery • Compromise of 1850 allows Texas to enter United States as slave state BUT California remains free, and Utah, New Mexico will have popular sovereignty to decide for themselves. • Slave trade is banned in Washington DC • Stricter fugitive slave law is passed.

27. Written by white woman Harriet Beecher Stowe and published in 1852, Uncle Tom’s Cabin becomes #1 best seller and ignites anti-slavery feelings and movements across the nation. Today “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” is as controversial as ever - is banned by many school boards; seen as racist by many African Americans. Black History SpotlightUncle Tom’s Cabin

28. Black History SpotlightKansas Nebraska Act 1854 • Ends the Missouri Compromise • Establishes Kansas and Nebraska • Allows popular sovereignty to decide issue of slavery and anti and pro slavery forces begin actual fighting in Kansas.

29. Slave who has lived in freed territory for years sues his owner for his freedom but loses. Supreme Court says Congress does not have right to ban slavery anywhere and slaves are NOT citizens. Black History SpotlightDred Scott 1857

30. Female Abolitionist, Speaker, and Women’s Right Advocate 1st and most prestigious African American female to address convention of white women in 1848 Seneca Falls Convention Black History SpotlightSojourner Truth “I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barnes, and no man could head me! And ain’t I a woman?”

31. Medal of Honor recipient for valor during the Battle of Fort Wagner during Civil War Served in 54th Massachusetts Sgt. Carney Salute: folding of the flag on a staff to unfurl immediately Famous speaker after the war Black History MonthWilliam Carney

32. Black History SpotlightCivil War Laws • 1863 Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in South – although they were not aware until later…and though owners ignored. • 1865: 13th Amendment abolished slavery everywhere in the U.S. • Juneteenth: Last slaves (in Texas) learn of Emancipation Proclamation; • 1868: 14th Amendment made former slaves and ANYONE born in the U.S. a citizen. • 1868: 15th Amendment gave black men the right to vote.

33. From Mississippi 1st African American to be elected to United States Senate – 1 of only 6 who have served to this day. Argued for compromise and moderation in dealing with Southern states after Civil War. Advocated for racial equality; championed cause of Black workers at Navy yard. Brilliant Speaker and Preacher. Black History SpotlightHiram Rhodes Revels

34. Black History SpotlightThe Spotlight is on YOU! I, for one, would think both about how far we have come as a country and how much further we need to go to erase racism and discrimination from our society.Charles Rangel US Congressman from New York