Gradual Emancipation In Pennsylvania

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Gradual emancipation, was in theory a series of progressive steps that eventually resulted in the abolishment of slavery and legal freedom of slaves in some of the states. Beginning around 1780 with the Gradual Emancipation Act of Pennsylvania, the laws for gradual emancipation would grant freedom to slaves only if a certain date had passed or if they had reached a certain age. The rhetoric behind the term came with the assumption that African Americans been in bondage for too long that it would be in the slaves best interest to slowly transition into freedom. Gradual emancipation proved to mostly be a ploy to keep the majority of African Americans as slaves. Even with the passing of legislation in numerous states, hundreds of slaves remained …show more content…

In her video, Joanne Pope Melish, explains how most of the legislation relating to gradual emancipation dealt with post nativiate laws. Post nativiate is Latin for after birth, meaning that the legislation only affected slaves born after the legislation was passed. Furthermore, the legislation would not free any of the newly born slaves until after they reached a certain age, often eighteen years or older. The legislation for gradual emancipation in Pennsylvania states that they will not have their freedom “until fuch child fhall attain unto the age of twenty eight years.” Practically, the legislation did absolutely nothing until that age was reached. Melish also discusses how James Madison made a distinction between states that had gradual emancipation laws and those that didn’t. In reality, both types of states were in the same condition in terms of slavery. This shows the hypocrisy evident in the highest levels of the government. They pretended to support and fight for freedom, when a large portion of the population would still be in chains for years to …show more content…

For example, New York passed legislation that abolished all slavery in the state of New York in 1827. This was one of the most progressive abolitionist laws passed in the entire United States. Unfortunately, until 1827 the only ways for indentured or enslaved black people to free themselves were through running away, manumission and self-purchase. Even with the legislation passed, farmers in some areas continued to illegally hold African Americans in bondage and indentured servitude well past 1827. Slave owning farmers were opposed to the law because they wanted to continue holding the slaves and servants for their personal economic gain. The slaves continually fought for their freedom and their viewpoint is well conveyed by the New Hampshire Slave Petition. The slaves state their grievances to the General Assembly and question “from what authority they (slave owners) assume the power to dispose of our lives, freedom and property.” Throughout the entire petition the slaves state their desire for freedom and try to point out the hypocrisy evident in the ideology of the United States as a free

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