Slavery in the United States MAGGIE MORROW
Meet The Author
Hi everyone! I’m Maggie Morrow and creator of this eBook. I am currently studying Elementary Education at Indiana University with a focus in Science. I was born and raised in Plymouth, Indiana with my parents and two sisters. Around campus, I am a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and am on the IU Student Foundation. I also love to travel and explore new places. Although it is not my focus of study, I have a love for history that I want to share with everyone. This is my first eBook so I hope you find it interesting and entertaining.
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C H AP TE R 1
Slavery
In America, slavery began in 1619 when the first black slaves were brought to Jamestown, Virginia by ship to help in the fields. In those days, the slaves were originally brought to help with the production of tobacco. In 1793, the cotton gin was invented and
they were slaves, they did not get paid
this increased the white man’s desire for
for their work, and had very poor living
slavery. Large plantations such as the
conditions. Many plantation owners
one in the picture above were very com-
were very cruel to their slaves, and
mon for growing cotton. Some planta-
treated them like animals instead of peo-
tions owners would have hundreds of
ple.
slaves working in their fields. Because 2
Life as a Slave In most places, slaves spent all day working in the fields. Some women would work inside the main house, while the men did harder work outside. They slept in small huts with dirt floors with their families, and barely had enough food to survive, so they sometimes died of starvation. Plantation owners wanted to keep control of their slaves, so they did not teach them how to read or write. Marriages between slaves were not legally recognized, but many slaves had their own marriages and had children. A baby born from slave parents immediately became a slave for the plantation owner. The picture below shows what the inside of a hut might have looked like. On many plantations, they were even smaller than this.
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The Underground Railroad The Underground Railroad was an escape route for slaves that were running away from their plantations towards the North, trying to get to freedom. It was not really a railroad, nor was it underground, but they called it that because it was a secret path for slaves to travel to get to freedom. The paths were called lines. Some people opened their homes to the slaves and would give them a place to sleep and eat during the night. These were called stations. The people that guided the slaves through the Underground Railroad were known as conductors. Look at this Interactive Picture and click on the boxes to read more about the North, South, and Railroad Lines. Interactive Picture: The Underground Railroad
The North The South
Railroad Lines
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Harriet Tubman One of the most famous conductors was Animated Hero Classics: Harriet Tubman
named Harriet Tubman. She escaped from slavery and returned to the south 19 times, helping about 300 slaves escape. To learn more about her, watch the video about Harriet Tubman. After you watch the video, read her quote in
Watch this short video to learn about Harriet Tubman and how she helped the slaves.
the picture below and tell what you think she meant when she said it. How did this impact her role in the Underground Railroad? Answer these questions using the Feedback widget.
What do you think?
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Quilt Code Along the Underground Railroad, people would make quilts and display them outside their windows to help slaves get to safety. The image below shows some of the patterns and what they mean.
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C H AP TE R 2
Civil War
The Civil War was fought between the Northern and Southern states, and is known as the worst four years in American history. In 1861, the north and south were very
the Union and the Confederacy was that
divided. The northern states were known
the Union did not support slavery, but
as the Union and the southern states
the Confederacy did.
were known as the confederacy. At the
On April 12, 1861, Confederate army
time, the south wanted to break away
fired the first shots at Fort Sumter in
from the United States and make their
Charleston, SC. This began the Civil
own laws. The biggest problem between
War. 7
S EC T I O N 1
Abraham Lincoln
Youtube: Abraham Lincoln
Word Search: Abraham Lincoln
Watch this Disney video about Abraham Lincoln’s life.
After watching the Youtube Video, complete this Word Search all about Abe Lincoln.
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The Gettysburg Address Probably the most popular battle during the Civil War was fought in Gettysburg, PA. It lasted three days and about 51,000 men were killed. It resulted in a Union victory, and the battleground later became a memorial for the fallen Union soldiers. On November 19, 1863 at a dedication ceremony for the memorial, President Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address. In just two minutes he gave meaning to the war and gave everyone there a new hope for the war effort. Listen to his speech using the Widget on the left. After you’ve listened to it, use the Feedback widget to tell me what you think of his speech. If you don’t understand what he was saying, that’s okay. I just want to hear what you have to say, What do you think of the Gettysburg Address?
Gettysburg Address
Listen to President Lincoln’s famous speech. 9
Kids During the Civil War Some boys as young as ten years old fought for the north. To help the war efforts, they would lie about their ages and join the military. In those days women couldn’t be in the military, so the girls would help by volunteering as nurses for wounded soldiers. For those that stayed at home, there were different games they would play to pass the time and take their minds off of the trouble surrounding them.
Interactive Picture: Games for Kids
Dice
Chess
Cards
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S EC T I O N 2
Victory For The Union!
Type to to enter text Type enter text
This is a newspaper clipping announcing a celebration in Chicago after the war. On June 2, 1865, the south surrendered
In just four years, about 620,000 men
and America rejoiced. Union forces cele-
died in battle. No other war in American
brated their victory and families were re-
history has caused this many fatalities.
united. Slaves were set free, leaving plantation owners angry and defeated. 11
Now that you’ve finished the book, take this short quiz to see what you’ve learned.
Slavery in the United States
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Sources Chapter 1: Slavery history.com http://thomaslegion.net/theundergroundrailroadandamericancivilwarhist ory.html Chapter 2: Civil War www.history.com http://www.nps.gov/pete/forteachers/classrooms/children-of-the-civil-w ar-the-games-they-played.htm
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