Read Benjamin Quarless: Antebellum Free Blacks And The

Q1) [Williams] Read Benjamin Quarles’s, “Antebellum Free Blacks and the ‘Spirit of ‘76’ (253-63). Why did a significant number of African Americans condemn the Fourth of July, Independence Day? Give an example of their condemnations.

Q2) [Franklin] What role did black Americans play in the abolitionist movement? How did the strategies of black and white abolitionists differ? How were they the same? What role did women play in the abolition movement?

Q3) [Williams] Read Henry Highland Garnet's “An Address to the Slaves of the United States of America” (342-47). What specifically was Garnet referring to when he advised attendees at the National Colored Citizens Convention to “Let Your Motto Be Resistance”? In what ways did this slogan approximate the many avenues of resistance and rebellion taken by enslaved Africans in America from ?

Read Benjamin Quarless Antebellum Free Blacks And The

Benjamin Quarles’s examination of antebellum free Blacks illuminates their complex relationship with the ideals celebrated during the American Revolution, notably reflected in the "Spirit of '76." A significant number of African Americans condemned the Fourth of July because they viewed it as a celebration of liberty and independence that explicitly excluded their own freedom from slavery. Their condemnation stemmed from a profound sense of hypocrisy; while the nation lauded liberty, millions of Black Americans remained enslaved, denied basic rights and recognized as property rather than persons. Quarles highlights that some free Blacks also felt alienated by the national festivities because they associated the holiday with the perpetuation of slavery rather than liberation.

Many of these African Americans articulated their dissent through speeches, writings, and grassroots protests. For example, Frederick Douglass delivered his famous speech, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” in 1852, in which he directly challenged the patriotic celebration. Douglass condemned the holiday as a sham and a boast that masked the ongoing oppression of millions of slaves, underscoring the contradiction between America’s ideals and its realities. Such condemnations underscored the persistent struggle of free Blacks to reconcile their desire for full citizenship and freedom with the patriotic narratives that celebrated liberty while maintaining racial injustice.

Black Americans in the Abolitionist Movement and Strategies

Black Americans played a crucial role in the abolitionist movement, both as leaders and active participants. Prominent figures such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and Sojourner Truth exemplified leadership, using their voices to advocate for the end of slavery and the rights of Black Americans. Black abolitionists often relied on moral suasion, self-education, and grassroots activism to challenge slavery’s foundation. They emphasized black dignity, agency, and the moral imperative to abolish slavery, which differentiated their approach from some white abolitionists whose strategies sometimes prioritized political negotiations or legislative measures.

Despite differences in tactics, black and white abolitionists shared the common goal of ending slavery. They frequently collaborated and supported each other’s efforts, though tensions existed around issues of leadership and strategy. White abolitionists such as William Lloyd Garrison emphasized immediate emancipation and moral urgings, whereas Black abolitionists often highlighted their own experiences and called for tangible actions such as assisted escapes and direct resistance.

Women played a vital role within the abolition movement, often organizing fundraising efforts, speaking at rallies, and participating in clandestine activities such as aiding escapees through the Underground Railroad. Women like Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman exemplified leadership that challenged the gender norms of their time, advocating for both racial and gender equality. Their involvement illustrates that the abolitionist movement was not only about ending slavery but also about challenging societal structures of inequality and oppression.

Henry Highland Garnet and the Call to Resistance

Henry Highland Garnet, in his “Address to the Slaves of the United States of America,” urged enslaved Africans to resist their oppressors actively. When he advised attendees at the National Colored Citizens Convention to “Let Your Motto Be Resistance,” Garnet was emphasizing that resistance could take many forms—rebellion, escape, non-cooperation, or civil disobedience. His call was both a practical and symbolic rallying cry to inspire enslaved Africans to seize moments of opportunity and refuse submission.

This slogan aligned with the numerous avenues of resistance and rebellion historically employed by enslaved Africans. These included armed uprisings, such as the Stono Rebellion and Denmark Vesey’s conspiracy, as well as more subtle acts of defiance—work slowdowns, sabotage, and secret communication. Garnet’s call for resistance was rooted in optimism and a recognition that oppressed peoples must continually challenge their circumstances to attain liberty. It reflected a broader tradition of resilience and rebellion that characterized enslaved Africans’ efforts to resist slavery for centuries.

References

• Blight, David W. (2018). Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom. Simon & Schuster.
• Garrison, William Lloyd. (1831). Declaration of Sentiments. American Anti-Slavery Society.
• Garnet, Henry Highland. (1865). “An Address to the Slaves of the United States of America.”
• McPherson, James M. (1988). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.
• Douglass, Frederick. (1852). “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” Announcing the annual independence celebration in Rochester, NY.
• Berlin, Ira. (2003). Many Thousands Gone: The First Two Centuries of Slavery in America. Belknap Press.
• Sinha, Manisha. (2016). The Slave’s Cause: A History of Abolition. Harvard University Press.
• McClinton, Charles S. (2004). “The Role of Black Women in the Abolition Movement,” in Women in American History. Routledge.
• Higginbotham, Estelle. (1994). Harriet Tubman: The Moses of Her People. Penguin Books.
• Williams, Heather Andrea. (2018). Crying Needs: Black Women, Resistance, and the Discourse of Oppression. University of North Carolina Press.