There are many fascinating stories of men, women, and children who lived at least part of their lives as slaves. In America, we tend to think of enslaved blacks before the Civil War. However, there have been slaves all over the world, many of whom influenced history. Reading slavery biography is a good way to learn world history, as well as appreciate the nature of people denied freedom.
When it comes to biographies, the internet is a great resource. There are sites devoted to the life stories of people, many of whom are known through their autobiographies or through stories about them recorded by newspapers or historians. Researching significant periods in history by interviewing those who lived through them has been popular with students and social scientists.
Many famous people from ancient times were in fact slaves. Aesop, whose fables have been part of western education for centuries, was a slave. Spartacus, a gladiator, was a slave who led an unsuccessful revolt against the Roman Empire. Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was enslaved as a boy. He escaped back to England but later returned to convert the Irish to Christianity (and to fight a dragon).
Moses was born a slave in ancient Egypt, although he was raised in Pharoah's household. He discovered he was a Hebrew, defended one of his people against an Egyptian overseer (unfortunately killing the man) and ran away to a far country. God called him back to the country of his enslavement to free his people and lead them to the Promised Land. We have his biography - some of it written by him - in the Bible.
It's easy to search online for brief accounts of slaves that have impacted history. After reading the short biographical notes online, those who want more information can look for autobiographies, collections of letters, or records of speeches that may have brought the person into prominence.
Dred Scott sued for his freedom and that of his family. Although he was unsuccessful, public opinion was on his side and this helped further the cause of emancipation for all blacks. A young slave named Celia killed her abusive master and was tried for his murder. Margaret Garner, a slave who escaped with her husband and children, was tried for the murder of her young daughter, whom she killed during their recapture. She preferred to see her children dead than returned as slaves.
There are books based on true events that tell of settlers along the frontier captured and enslaved by Indians. Ann Calhoun was a white girl captured by the Cherokee at age 4 who spent three years as a slave, being fairly kindly treated. Tales of dramatic escapes and harrowing rescues are part of American folklore and history.
Some of the most poignant accounts are told by the people themselves, like the 'Ain't I a woman?' speech given by Sojourner Truth, a former New York slave who became an ardent abolitionist. Frederick Douglas, an escaped slave from Maryland who became a writer, orator, and civil servant, was one of the most prominent voices for social reform - the end of slavery, women's rights, and fair treatment of Irish immigrants. The contribution to our culture made by slaves throughout the ages is remarkable.
When it comes to biographies, the internet is a great resource. There are sites devoted to the life stories of people, many of whom are known through their autobiographies or through stories about them recorded by newspapers or historians. Researching significant periods in history by interviewing those who lived through them has been popular with students and social scientists.
Many famous people from ancient times were in fact slaves. Aesop, whose fables have been part of western education for centuries, was a slave. Spartacus, a gladiator, was a slave who led an unsuccessful revolt against the Roman Empire. Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was enslaved as a boy. He escaped back to England but later returned to convert the Irish to Christianity (and to fight a dragon).
Moses was born a slave in ancient Egypt, although he was raised in Pharoah's household. He discovered he was a Hebrew, defended one of his people against an Egyptian overseer (unfortunately killing the man) and ran away to a far country. God called him back to the country of his enslavement to free his people and lead them to the Promised Land. We have his biography - some of it written by him - in the Bible.
It's easy to search online for brief accounts of slaves that have impacted history. After reading the short biographical notes online, those who want more information can look for autobiographies, collections of letters, or records of speeches that may have brought the person into prominence.
Dred Scott sued for his freedom and that of his family. Although he was unsuccessful, public opinion was on his side and this helped further the cause of emancipation for all blacks. A young slave named Celia killed her abusive master and was tried for his murder. Margaret Garner, a slave who escaped with her husband and children, was tried for the murder of her young daughter, whom she killed during their recapture. She preferred to see her children dead than returned as slaves.
There are books based on true events that tell of settlers along the frontier captured and enslaved by Indians. Ann Calhoun was a white girl captured by the Cherokee at age 4 who spent three years as a slave, being fairly kindly treated. Tales of dramatic escapes and harrowing rescues are part of American folklore and history.
Some of the most poignant accounts are told by the people themselves, like the 'Ain't I a woman?' speech given by Sojourner Truth, a former New York slave who became an ardent abolitionist. Frederick Douglas, an escaped slave from Maryland who became a writer, orator, and civil servant, was one of the most prominent voices for social reform - the end of slavery, women's rights, and fair treatment of Irish immigrants. The contribution to our culture made by slaves throughout the ages is remarkable.
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