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Summary and Objective
In this lesson the students will discover that the beliefs held by the American Anti-Slavery Society existed in western Massachusetts.
The students will understand that these abolitionists believed slavery was wrong and needed to be ended and that African Americans were suffering a number of abuses.
The students will also understand that local people wanted to be actively involved in doing something about slavery and reacted strongly to the Fugitive Slave Act.
Students will also read newspaper articles about the practices of the slave trade and develop an understanding of how some people in the Greenfield area felt about slavery.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
The day before going to the American Centuries web site students will begin the lesson (which will take about three classes) by visiting the following web site and answering the questions assigned.
Go to : http://exchanges.state.gov/education/engteaching/pubs/AmLnC/br18.htm
Step 2.
First read the discription of the American Anti-Slavery Society and answer the following questions:
1. What problems caused the south to fear that there might be others who wanted to end slavery?
2. How did the American Anti-Slavery Society begin?
3. What was the most important reform of the Jacksonian era?
Step 3.
Now read the article called the "Declaration of Sentiments" and answer the next set of questions:
1. What percent of the population is enslaved?
2. According to the article what violations does a slave suffer?
3. What arguments are given against slavery?
4. What goals does the society have?
Step 4.
Move to the next website: www.americancenturies.mass.edu
Step 5.
Click on the Digital Collection. Click on Assisted Search. Type in "Sacrifice of Life" in the title box and click go. This will take you to the first article on the slave trade in New England. From there you are to read three of the four articles listed. You can select the readings by following the titles listed under "See Also". Along with the first reading you went to, you can choose from:
"The Slave Trade,"
"The Slave Trade Administration,"
"The African Slave Trade," and
"Negro Slavery in Massachusetts," page 4 & 5.
Step 6.
For each article you read, you are to write down the title of the article, when the article was written, what publication it was in, and any mention of the American Anti-Slavery Society. From each article you are to write 3-5 pieces of information about slavery and the anti-slavery attitude of the New Englanders.
Step 7.
The day after we visit the American Centuries site, you are to go to the following web sites and read the articles there: http://americanabolitionist.liberalarts.inpui.edu. You will find a list of officers of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, 1835-1840. Write down the names of the local abolitionists.
The second link is http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/tubman/map.htm
Look carefully at the map of the Routes of the Underground Railroad. Where does the Underground Railroad go through Massachusetts? Include this in your information in your final writing.
Step 8.
After you have completed all of your notes, you are to write a one page paper using the information to have collected to answer the following questions: From what you have read today, how do you believe people in Massachusetts felt about the slave trade? Do you think these articles in the local papers would indicate a general support for the anti-slavery association. Do you think local residents would have been in support of the Fugitive Slave Act? (If you do not remember what this is, I have provided a link for you to look it up.) There are twenty-five years between the founding of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society and the beginning of the American civil war. What impact do you think this group had in preparing people to actually go to war against slavery? Your own observations. Turn in your paper and your notes when you have finished.
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