The Abolition Movement in British North America - Essay Example

Canadian history Introduction A nation’s heritage plays a very critical role to any nation globally; this is because it is not only used for education purposes in schools but also reminds people of the past. It is therefore important for nations to preserve their heritage safely for both the present and future generations. Ontario is a province in Canada and it has gone down records for its reputation of proper preservation of its heritage. The province has proved to the world that actually preservation of heritage plays a very important role in the society because of its large number of records on its history. Unlike many nations that keep historical archives and records in national museums, Ontario province took a rather different method of preserving its heritage, this was through erection of plaques, this are flat tablets that are erected at a specific place to commemorate a historical event that occurred at that spot (Robertson, 2012). The essay will relay on the plaque of abolitionism in Canada in addition that to its significant to Canadians and the world at large. According to Robertson, over 1100 plaques have been erected in Ontario since 1956. He goes ahead to state that Ontario Heritage Foundation (OHF), which is responsible for the plaque program, came up with the decision of erect plaques in a move to not only create public awareness about the past events but also influence the future. The plaques played a role in influencing people create events that are worth recording in a plaque for future references (Robertson, 2012). One of the plaques erected by OHF includes the Abolition Movement in British North America that commemorates the fight against slavery in both Canada and the US. Slavery Slavery in the 16th century was extreme whereby people from developing continents such as Africa were imported and brought to the US and Canada where they were sold as slaves. The stronger slaves were given heavy tasks such as working in the white’s farms whereas the weak slaves and women were given domestic chores such as cooking. It is because of the efforts to abolish slavery in Canada that saw OHF unanimously decide to erect the abolition plaque. In addition to the plaque, the abolition movement was declared a national event that was to be celebrated annually in respect for the Canadians who took part in fighting against slavery in Canada. Through the plaque, people are reminded of 1783-1860 when thousands of Africans were brought to Canada as slaves to work in plantations and other household chores (Dale & Monette, 2013). Slaves normally underwent through a lot of torture and this finally saw the formation of organizations that were asked to ensure that the act of slavery was abolished because just like Canadians, slaves too were humans. This saw the formation of organizations such as John Brown Convection and the Anti-slavery society of Canada (Dale & Monette, 2013). The organization went ahead to state that through abolition movement, values of North America were reshaped because Canada stopped viewing blacks as slaves instead they embraced respect and a sense of identity (Dale & Monette, 2013). After the abolition of slavery in Canada, the slaves received Canadian citizenship in addition to free allocation of land to settle. Abolitionists The abolition movement comprised of thousands of people that came together with one common thing in mind and it was ensuring that slavery is eradicated in Canada. Some of the abolitionists that played a significant role to the movement included Maria Stewart, Mary Anne and William Still (PBS).Maria Stewart was an African- American woman who was at the forefront in ensuring that blacks are treated in the same manner like whites. Stewart was a lecturer and this gave her the ability to lecture public on racial discrimination that blacks are being subjected to. Steward’s main lectures included gender equality whereby man and women should be treated equally, apart from gender equality; she spoke of education for the black Americans whereby even blacks had the right to education just like any other American child (PBS). Although Stewart’s lectures had some positive impacts, she was cut short due to a lot of opposition from people who were against her lectures by claiming that women were not allowed to lecture in public (PBS). Apart from Maria Stewart, Mary Ann also went into record as one woman who campaigned effortlessly to ensure that blacks are granted equal right like their white counterparts. Just like Maria Stewart, Anne was an afro American, she moved to Canada in 1850 after the passage of fugitive slave law. In Canada, she became the first black American woman to establish a newspaper after she published provincial freeman. The newspaper mainly talked about racial discrimination in the North America (PBS). She returned to the US in 1854 whereby, just like Stewart, began a public lecture on racial discrimination (PBS). She later on applied to be granted an opportunity to join National Negro Convention, an organization whose objective was to unite all blacks by campaigning for equal rights. The organization never admitted women, but since Anne was popular not only in US but the whole of North America, the organization granted her the opportunity to be a member, an opportunity she accepted (PBS). Apart from Stewart and Anne, William Still also played a role in the campaign for equal rights. Still was a black American born in New Jersey, he is known for his efforts of assisting fugitives by harboring them. Because of his efforts, he was named the chair of Philadelphia abolitionists after they came up with a vigilance committee, during the 1950’s fugitive slave act (PBS). Apart from harboring black American fugitives, Still opposed white’s discrimination methods such as the segregation law that saw blacks being mistreated. Due to this, he drafted a chronicle entitled, the Underground Railroad, which targeted the white’s and the discrimination methods being used (PBS). American slavery laws Before the national constitution was amended in 1868, blacks had no rights at all in North America; they were considered slaves and not American citizens (Cobb, 2009). Black Americans had no right to own anything for instance they were not capable of owning land ,they could not purchase anything in America neither could they make a will since they had no heirs (Bowdoin College). This was because of the strict laws that made life unbearable for the black Americans. Some of the laws that were drafted to inhibit torture and pain to the blacks included the law that gave white’s the right to kill their slaves if they disobeyed them of did something that annoyed the master. This law resulted to many innocent deaths on the black Americans by the whites who were never charged for the felony they had committed because of their race (Bowdoin College). The massive killing of African Americans catapulted to more problems on the blacks because most of those who were killed were the family’s soul provider. Slaves were also treated as personal chattels hence were liable to be mortgaged if the master wishes to. These laws were a clear indication of how slaves were socially, physically and politically inferior. The whites used to control everything, from politics to education and even employment. The Underground Railroad From the 1850s to 1860s, slavery was at its peak and slaves were made to do a lot of tiring tasks such cultivating white’s plantation in addition to other household tasks. It was due to these tasks that some black Americans realized that the only way to survive from this torture was escaping. Though escaping was the only option, it was such a risky decision due to the stern rules enacted on slavery for instance if slaves were found disobeying the master they were bound to be killed if the ,aster wished to do so (Landon,2009). Though it was a risky affair, the slaves created a private route, which they used to sneak out of the US and seek refuge in other neighboring nations such as Canada. According to research, about 30000 slaves managed to cross over to Canada, which was referred as safe heaven (CBC). The journey was long and had many tribulations because apart from spending nights in the cold, the slaves were also to cross the Detroit River that was not only 3000 miles wide but also a habitat of deadly carnivores such as the alligators. This was a tough choice especially for women who had kids (Malaspina, 2010). Despite the journey being risky, many black Africans were determined to take the risk because life as a slave was unbearable hence were determined to risk it all just to have a feel of how freedom tastes like. The journey to freedom required a guide and one woman; Harriet Tubman went to record as the woman who helped many black Americans flee to Canada via the Underground Railroad (CBC). Tubman guided slaves on the right path and ensured that they safely crossed over to Canada; it was because of her endless efforts of guiding slaves to freedom that she was given the name Moses. The name was because her actions were similar to the Biblical Moses who led the Israelites from Egypt and led them to safety by ensuring that they crossed the red sea. Tubman’s efforts were not taken lightly by the slave owners because by helping slaves escape. According to the whites, if the process was not halted in advance it would result to shortage of slaves I the US hence no more people to work in the plantations and other house hold chores. It was because of numerous complaints from slave owners that a bounty of $ 40000 was offered on anyone who will reveal her whereabouts (CBC). Apart from Tubman, John Brown also played a big role in ensuring that slavery is eradicated in North America. Whereas many whites were in full support of slavery, John Brown was an abolitionist and campaigned against slavery. He was the one who foresaw the reduction of slaves that were being brought in the nation because together with other abolitionists, they used traverse many regions in the United states in search for the supporters of slavery and kill them (IAGenWeb Project). His objective was ensuring that the US become a slavery free nation and he achieved it by not only assisting slaves escape through the underground railroad but also held many campaigns throughout north America and holding public lectures on slave trade and racial discrimination. The city of Chatham This was a city located in Ontario, Canada. Named after earl of Chatham, the city was city was recognized due to the role it played during slave trade. The city was set up after the government of Canada unanimously agreed to build homesteads for the slaves who would rest for a week or two before finally continuing with their journey to the north (Jim & Gilbert, 2013). In the 1820s, the number of slaves in Chatham city was small and controllable, but after the passage of fugitive law in 1950s, Chatham city experienced an increase in the number of slaves who were escaping the stern rules enacted on the slaves to Canada. The increase of population in the city of Chatham made the government of Canada enact rules in order to minimize the population that had surpassed the expected population. For instance, the government started designating the residents of Chatham city in addition to their businesses. Canada began implementing some racial discriminations on the slaves in a move to reduce the population, for instance, some of the slaves were not allowed to attend church camp meeting and seminars due to their skin complexion (Jim & Gilbert, 2013). The Canadian government, which had planned to incorporate the slaves into their education system , changed the opinion after realizing it would be difficult for Canadians to study with slaves, therefore instead of having one education system, the government opted for separate schools (Jim & Gilbert, 2013). most of the slaves normally came from southern America where slavery was rife. Conclusion A nation’s heritage plays an important role to any nation worldwide, this is because it is not only used for education purposes in schools but it also reminds people of the past. It is therefore important for nations to preserve their heritage safely for both the present and future generation. Ontario is a province in Canada that is recognized for its reputation of preserving heritage. Unlike many nations that keep historical archives and records in museums, Ontario preserves its heritage in plaques, which are flat tablets that are erected at a specific place to commemorate a historical event that occurred at that spot. The Abolition Movement in British North America is one such plaque that was erected in commemoration of the fight against slavery that occurred in Canada and the US. Slavery was extreme in the 16th century whereby Africans were imported and brought to the US and Canada where they were sold as slaves. The slaves were given heavy tasks such as working in the white’s farms whereas the weak slaves and women were given domestic chores such as cooking. The tasks were unbearable to some of the slaves that they opted to seek refuge in neighboring nations such as Canada by escaping the US through Underground Railroad. In Canada, they settled in the city of Chatham for a short period of time before moving deeper in search for better settlement. References Bowdoin College. (2014). Laws Pertaining to Slavery. Retrieved on 26th March 2014 from CBC. (2014). Underground Railroad. Retrieved on 26th March 2014 from < http://www.cbc.ca/history/EPCONTENTSE1EP8CH1PA3LE.html > Cobb, T. R. R. (2009). An Inquiry Into The Law Of Negro Slavery In The United States Of America. Bedford, Mass: Applewood Books. Dale, R. & Monette, M. (2013). Government Of Canada Commemorates The Historic Significance Of The Abolition Movement In British North America. Parks Canada. Retrieved on 26th March 2014 from http://www.pc.gc.ca/APPS/CP- NR/release_e.asp?id=1322&andor1=nr IAGenWeb Project. (2013). John Brown and The Underground Railroad. Retrieved on 26th March 2014 from http://iagenweb.org/history/soi/soi37.htm Jim & Gilbert, J. (2013). COLUMN: Those who settled here faced racial bigotry. Retrieved on 26th March 2014 from http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/2013/02/08/column-those-who- settled-here-faced-racial-bigotry Landon, F., Smardz, F. K., & Ontario Historical Society. (2009). Ontarios African-Canadian heritage: Collected writings by Fred Landon, 1918-1967. Toronto: Dundurn Press. Malaspina, A. (2010). The Underground Railroad: The journey to freedom. New York: Chelsea House. PBS. n.d. Other Abolitionists. Retrieved on 26th March 2014 from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p4439.html Robertson, M. J. I. (2012). Heritage from Below. Farnham: Ashgate Publishing Ltd. Read More