This story is the retelling of Robert Smalls' escape from slavery with his entire family in tow. With a plan "as dangerous as it was brilliant," Smalls commandeers a Confederate ship and successfully navigates it out of Charleston's blockaded port and into the hands of the Union army.
TT Voting and Democracy Grants fund projects that encourage students to become empowered advocates for voting in their communities. Grants and School Programs Manager Jey Ehrenhalt spoke with grantee Sarah Emmett about the work her students will be doing this fall.
A. J. McElveen writes to the Charleston, South Carolina, enslaver Z. B. Oakes, about an enslaved man named Isaac. McElveen describes Isaac as a genius, painter, cook, carriage driver, violinist, etc.
A letter written by John Quincy Adams to the 12th Congressional District regarding the use of the "Gag Rule" to prevent him from reading petitions by enslaved people on the floor of the House of Representatives. Adams argues that the Gag Rule is a violation of petitioners' rights, and to ignore this violation would endanger the rights of all Americans.
A speech given by Senator John C. Calhoun in which he argues in favor of slavery, saying that it benefits enslaved people, enslavers and the United States as a whole.
Likely written during or shortly after the Civil War, these song lyrics depict Southern patriotism and duty to maintaining a certain way of life. Using melodic rhymes and repetition, the author emphasizes Southern manhood, justified violence and supposedly benign slavery.