Violence in the Slave Society

In 12 Years a Slave, violence took a big role in the slave sociaty. Talking back, not following directions, saying something that is taken the wrong way you will be harmed. Soloman Northrup (Platt) for example in one of the scenes was building a house and was told by someone how it should be done. The Head Master didn't tell him that and Platt told him that he was told to do that instead of doing what the master was telling him to do. He was then hung and they whipped him. Another example is when another women on the plantation named Patsy, did something to get the master mad, the master then made Platt whip her until she sobbed, which was very wrong and it hurt them both physically and mentally. I noticed in the movie that you could see the person being whipped or hurt, but not like head on it was at an angle, but after the fact i saw the results, and heard the sounds and pain the slave was going through. Also a man was hanged by his neck, he did not die but it was long and hard. During this movie it was hard to watch those scenes and see what they went through, I can see why it is rated R.

Patsy Being whipped

Gender in Slavery

In 12 Years a Slave, women were incredibly emotional. For example, Eliza got separated from her children, Solomon did as well, he stayed strong, and he knew if he sobbed over them he would get harsher treatments. Patsy pulled 500 lbs of cotton, while most of the male slaves pulled 160-200. Whoever didn't pull enough to make the masters happy were whipped and hung and however else to make them unhappy for not working hard. The easier jobs are usually done better by women. I think men are stronger physically, and emotionally, women often get to caught up from being taken from their family, that the don't work as hard. Even though it was bad to talk back to your master, men knew how to defend themselves, Platt was a building a house, and they taught him which way to do it, and the master said "You're doing it wrong," and Platt answered back telling him that's how he was taught. By talking back to a master you will be hurt or harmed. In this movie you could see that women had a lot of fear living on a plantation. The women mistress' weren't allowed to say to much, they only had a little input, while the masters said or did whatever was necessary to treat the slaves bad. 

Men And Women

Slave Narrative

The slave I chose was from Youngstown, Ohio. She went by the name of Mrs. Melissa (Lowe) Barden. Melissa's mother worked and died in the Newton County in the north on a plantation. But Melissa had a daughter of her own named Nany Hardy and married a guy with the last name Barden. Melissa assumed that her Masters name was Lowe, she liked him, she only was fond about him when he sold his mother. At the end of the page it says that she had found cataracts in her eyes, and after became legally blind.

In Melissa's narrative I can conclude that Melissa lived on a plantation she was born and raised there. As a child she was there with her mom, and now she has a child of her own who know is on it too. Living on a plantation might sound demanding or cruel but Melissa said she enjoyed herself, she loving the singing and dancing and coming together to be happy. she became legally blind, from her story I bet that did not effect her, she probably remained a happy mother and caring. She didn't have much of a mean side, she lived her life to the fullest.

Melissa's Narrative

Ohio

Religion in the Early 1800's

In the 19th century, there was a Protestant revival time which we call the Second Great Awakening.

Baptist
-Doctrines, a group of Protestant Christians
-They recognize two ministry groups, pastors and deacons.
-Individuals who compromise a group of denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that a baptist performed only by professing believers.

Methodists
-Logic and reasoning to all members of faith.
-You must do some missionary work
-Group of historically related denominations of Protestant Christianity.

Unitarians
-The understanding of God as one individual person.
-From Buddhism they take power of mediation.
-Working together they can create peace and also justice.

Mormons
-Salvation gained by being cooperative and obedient.
-God has a physical body.
-Unlike most they do not believe in Original sin in which you are born with.

Presbyterian
-Ruled by elderly people
-The churches derive their name from the Presbyterian form of church government, which is groups assembled of elders.
-The roots go all the way back to Protestant Reformation.

Congregationalists
-Congregation
-They are found in Baptist like surroundings or churches.
-Freedom and individual conscience.

An old Baptist Church

Mormons in the West Protest

A Methodist "camp meeting"

Slavery Timeline in America

1619: Slavery in Jamestown Virginia first began, with about 20 men.

1641: The Massachusetts colony legalizes slavery as time went on.

1642: Virginia comes up with a law to help people escape from slavery because they did not agree.

1734: The Great Awakening begins in Massachusetts.

1762: 230,000 people were enslaved the population of enslaved people grew.

1773: The slaves in Massachusetts and people petition aginst slavery in the world.

1793: A cotton field is there now, new for the enslaved people to work on.

1831: In Virginia, they have a slave rebellion, and it is dangerous and hectic.

1862: Emmacipation Proclomation is brought about.

1862: Slavery is fought over, the Cival war had then ended which ended slavery.

Cotton Fields 

Slavery In America

The Great Awakening 

Tecumseh's Speech

In Tecumseh's Speech, the brothers needed to be united and fight for what they believe in, bravery and courage are shown in his speech to the Osages. The first theme is bravery, "If you do not unite with us, they will first destroy us, and then you will fall an easy prey to them." The second theme that s in his speech to the Osages is courage. "Who are the white people that we should fear them?" With these two themes, Tecumseh led his men to stand up and fight with bravery and courage! 

Tecumseh

They are all united as one school or wildcats, in Tecumseh's speech to the Osages, he is talking to his brothers about uniting as one. "That all our dreams have no limitations" in the second verse of We're all in this together is showing courage. They have the power to do anything. "We make each other strong. We're not the same were different in our own way." Every person is different in their own way, like the brothers they are all different but all their strengths unite as one. "and speaking out with one voice" this is showing to be one family, or "brotherhood" and unite together. This song relates to Tecumseh's Speech in a way that they stick together to be champions!

A picture of the Wildcats cast who sing "we're all in this together"