Nawshin Jerin

November 23, 2014

AP US History

Period 7
Unit 3 DBQ Essay

Slavery is a form of unpaid labor that has existed in many countries and still exists in
others today. In America, slavery was officially abolished in 1865 with the ratification of the
Thirteenth Amendment. However, certain states in America had freed slaves before then,
specifically between 1775 to 1830. From 1775 to 1830, many African Americans were able to
gain freedom from slavery using methods including fighting for the British during the American
Revolution, slave rebellions, and buying their freedom from their masters. However, during the
same period, the institution of slavery expanded as the need for slave labor increased. Also, while
the South relied heavily on slave labor for their economy to prosper, the North prohibited the use
of slaves as they were not necessary for the prosperity of their economy. Both free African
Americans and enslaved African Americans responded to the challenges confronting them by
encouraging the emancipation of slavery through the use speeches, riots, writing, and rebellions.
Although slavery was not emancipated in the United States until 1865, many slaves were
able to become free through a variety of methods. For example, many slaves who fought for the
British during the American Revolution of 1775 gained freedom. Lord Dunmore of Virginia had
claimed that slaves who sided with the King of Britain would be freed from slavery (DOC A).
The purpose of Lord Dunmores message was to encourage slaves to fight for them so that the
British have more soldiers and could easily defeat the Americans. To an extent, the British are
merely trying to benefit themselves and fulfill their own agenda rather than trying to help slaves
with their goal of freedom. Despite the fact that the British had lost, many slaves were free after
the American Revolution. Also, after the revolution, America was divided between the North and

South. The economy of the North was mainly dependent on industrial products and small
businesses while the economy of the South was dependent on agricultural products. Thus, the
North relied on slaves much less than the South did, which is why slavery was prohibited in the
North after the Revolutionary War. Some slaves worked hard to earn money to purchase their
freedom. For example, a slave named Venture Smith had received permission from his master to
compensate a certain amount of money for his freedom. Smith continued to serve his master and
was able to earn enough money for his freedom (DOC D). The intended audience of Smiths
story is other slaves who have yet to be freed. Enslaved African Americans would have felt
inspired by Smith and also try to purchase their freedom. This inspiration was a driving force for
the slaves to work harder and continue to fight. In addition, some slaves were sent back to Africa
after they purchased their freedom. For example, the Vermont Colonization Party encouraged the
emancipation of slaves and the release of all African Americans back to Africa (DOC F). The
purpose of this organization was to eradicate slavery completely in America and allow for a
better life there rather than in America, where African Americans were constantly discriminated
against.
However, it was not always so simple to gain freedom. Many slave owners did not allow
for their slaves to purchase their freedom because they knew how much the Southern economy
relied on slave labor. The demand for cotton dramatically increased from 1775 to 1830,
therefore, the number of slaves needed to separate seeds from cotton increased as well. Also, the
invention known as the cotton gin created by Eli Whitney was introduced in 1793. Although this
new invention allowed for faster separation of seeds from cotton, more slaves were needed to use
the cotton gins. In the South, there was always a profusion of jobs for slaves. According to David
Walker, slaves continued to have various types of responsibilities and tasks as the Southern

economy was heavily dependent on them for labor (DOC G). In addition, the expansion of the
United States with the purchase of Louisiana Territory provided more land for farming. Seeing as
most farming and agriculture was done by slaves, as the amount of farming land increased, the
amount of slaves needed increased. Thus, the liberation and expansion of slavery simultaneously
occurred from 1775 to 1830.
Both free and enslaved African Americans had methods to deal with problems they faced
in America. Challenges they faced, according to Paul Cuffe, included a lack of rights such as the
right to inherit property and the right to vote during elections for those pertaining to the taxes
they pay (DOC B). The purpose of Cuffes petition was to request the Massachusetts
government to grant African Americans the right to vote or exempt them from paying taxes to
those they did not elect. In addition to petitions, enslaved African Americans also utilized
rebellions to raise awareness for their freedom. For example, a conspirator of the Gabriel
Prossers Rebellion, named Ben, described how he, along with other slaves, planned to attack
their masters and other white men. In his confession, Ben also explained how he had read in the
Bible that if he continues to worship God, he would be successfully free and at peace (DOC E).
The purpose of Bens confession was to show how determined the slaves were to gain their
freedom. Also, it showed that they felt inspired by religion and even more motivated to rebel
because they believed they had help from God.
Other ways African Americans responded to the challenges confronting them were by
writing speeches that encouraged the fight for freedom. For example, David Walker had written
about how African Americans were treated poorly despite the fact that they provided good labor
which ultimately helped the economy. He believed that they must unite to strengthen their cause.
They were determined to fight as much as needed to gain freedom (DOC G). The purpose of

Walkers speech was to unify the African Americans in their common goal. African Americans
also responded to the effort of white men in trying to free slaves. Slaves, like Absalom Jones and
Richard Allen, were grateful to their masters and other white men who had also fought for their
freedom. The purpose of their speech was to show their appreciation towards the white mens
determination and enthusiasm towards their cause. They believe that their liberty would not have
been acquired without their help (DOC C). Thus, African Americans, both enslaved and free, had
various reactions towards the problems they faced.
The period between 1775 and 1830 was a time of both great expansion and emancipation
of slavery in America. Although there were many slaves who gained freedom during this time,
through the use of rebellions, agreements, and compensations, there were still many slaves who
had yet to be freed as slavery was not completely abolished until 1865. Different methods of
having prosperous economies is what allowed for the North to free their slaves while the South
continued to use slaves as they depended on the labor they provided. Also, both free and
enslaved African Americans had techniques to deal with the problems they faced including,
unequal rights and the lack of freedom itself.