Member-only story

Life on the Slavery Frontier: A History of Enslavement and Resistance in the American West

Chuck Mitchell

·16.2k Followers· Follow

Published in Mrs Dred Scott: A Life On Slavery S Frontier

7 min read

1.1k View Claps

74 Respond

Save

Listen

Mrs. Dred Scott: A Life on Slavery's Frontier

by Lea VanderVelde

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5976 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	496 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

The American West is often depicted as a land of freedom and opportunity, a place where people could escape the constraints of society and start anew. However, this image obscures the dark history of slavery in the region. Slavery was a fundamental part of the American West from its earliest days, and it played a major role in shaping the region's economy, society, and culture.

The first enslaved people were brought to the American West by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. These enslaved people were used to work in the mines and on the haciendas of the Spanish colonists. As the United States expanded westward in the 19th century, slavery spread with it. Enslaved people were brought to the West to work on plantations, ranches, and farms. They were also used as domestic servants and laborers in towns and cities.

The lives of enslaved people in the American West were harsh and brutal. They were subjected to long hours of labor, often in dangerous and unhealthy conditions. They were often whipped, beaten, and sexually abused. They were separated from their families and their communities. And they lived in constant fear of being sold or traded.

Despite the hardships they faced, enslaved people in the American West resisted their oppression in a variety of ways. They ran away from their enslavers, sometimes traveling hundreds of miles to reach freedom. They organized revolts and uprisings, fighting for their freedom with whatever means they could find. And they worked to preserve their culture and traditions, despite the efforts of their enslavers to strip them of their identity.

The history of slavery in the American West is a complex and often hidden story. It is a story of oppression and resistance, of suffering and hope. It is a story that deserves to be told and remembered.

The Historiography of Slavery in the American West

The historiography of slavery in the American West has undergone a significant transformation in recent decades. Traditional histories of the region often ignored or downplayed the role of slavery. However, in the past few decades, historians have begun to focus more attention on the history of slavery in the West. This new scholarship has helped to shed light on the complex and often hidden history of slavery in this region.

One of the most important developments in the historiography of slavery in the American West has been the focus on the experiences of enslaved people themselves. Traditional histories often focused on the experiences of white settlers and explorers, while ignoring the experiences of the enslaved people who were brought to the region. Recent scholarship has sought to correct this imbalance by focusing on the lives and experiences of enslaved people. This work has helped to provide a more nuanced and complete understanding of the history of slavery in the West.

Another important development in the historiography of slavery in the American West has been the focus on the role of resistance. Traditional histories often depicted enslaved people as passive victims of their oppressors. However, recent scholarship has shown that enslaved people in the West resisted their oppression in a variety of ways. This work has helped to challenge the traditional view of enslaved people as helpless victims and has shown that they were active agents in their own lives.

The historiography of slavery in the American West is still evolving, but the work of recent decades has helped to shed light on this complex and often hidden history. This scholarship has helped to provide a more nuanced and complete understanding of the role of slavery in the American West and has helped to challenge traditional views of slavery and its legacy.

Primary Sources for the Study of Slavery in the American West

There are a variety of primary sources that can be used to study the history of slavery in the American West. These sources include:

Slave narratives: Slave narratives are first-hand accounts of the lives of enslaved people. They provide valuable insights into the experiences of enslaved people and the ways in which they resisted oppression.
Plantation records: Plantation records provide information about the day-to-day operations of plantations and the lives of the enslaved people who worked on them.
Court records: Court records provide information about crimes committed by enslaved people and the punishments that were imposed on them.
Newspapers: Newspapers often reported on events related to slavery, including news of runaway slaves, slave auctions, and slave revolts.
Travel accounts: Travel accounts written by people who visited the American West often included observations about slavery and the lives of enslaved people.

These primary sources provide valuable insights into the history of slavery in the American West. They help us to understand the experiences of enslaved people, the ways in which they resisted oppression, and the role of slavery in shaping the region's economy, society, and culture.

Recent scholarship has shed new light on the history of slavery in the American West, focusing on the experiences of enslaved people themselves and the ways in which they resisted oppression. This work has helped to challenge traditional views of slavery and its legacy and has provided a more nuanced and complete understanding of the role of slavery in the American West.

The history of slavery in the American West is a reminder of the dark side of our past. It is a history that we must never forget, lest we repeat the mistakes of the past.

Mrs. Dred Scott: A Life on Slavery's Frontier

by Lea VanderVelde

4.2 out of 5