Quaker concern over slavery was not a new phenomenon in 1688. In fact, it could be traced back to the founder of the Quaker religion, George Fox. Though he never condemned slavery, Fox stressed that all people were God’s children and called for Africans to be treated with fairness. Slavery concerned Fox for two reasons. His concerns rested on both morality and familial order which are reflective of core principles of Quaker ethics. In moral terms, Fox argued that slavery was inconsistent with the Quaker principles of equality and non-violence. He encouraged Quakers to treat blacks much in the way they would wish to be treated in a “slavish condition.” Fox stated, And further, consider with yourselves, if you were in the same Condition as …show more content…
His concern for familial order is manifested in the words of the petitioners which state, “And we who know than men must not commit adultery, -some do commit adultery, in separating wives from their husbands and giving them to others; and some sell the children of these poor creatures to other men.” Thus, familial order still maintained an importance to the petitioners just as it had to Fox. Of greater importance to the petitioners, however, was Fox’s appeal to the teaching in Matthew 7:12. They referenced this teaching twice to make their case against slavery. The petitioners stated that “there is a saying that we shall doe to all men like as we will be done ourselves; making no difference of what generation, descent or colour they are.” Further down in the document the petitioners referenced Matthew 7:12 again stating, “Ah! Doe consider will this thing, you who doe it, if you would be done at this manner?” Despite the best efforts of the petitioners and their appeals to Biblical teaching, the Germantown petition did not effect change. This was due to the fact that many prominent Quakers in Philadelphia held slaves and some were even involved in the slave trade and transport of slave made goods such as sugar. Thus, the petition was ignored and no action was taken. Nevertheless, the petition was of monumental importance. While the petition expressed the same concerns as Fox did regarding slavery, unlike Fox the petition called for blacks to be “treated as political citizens, not slaves.” This desire was made clear in the petitioners’ assertion that the “Golden Rule” applied to all irrespective of “generation, descent, or colour.” Ultimately, not only did the Germantown petition mark the first condemnation of African slavery, but it also marked the first condemnation of African slavery based on Biblical
A Leon Higginbotham Jr.’s argument in The Ancestry of Inferiority (1619-1662), is that the people of Virginia had already began to think of black people, be it they were free or indentured servants, as inferior to themselves before slavery was institutionalized. The Colonist’s had already begun to strategize legalities in regards on how black people were to be disciplined. Higginbotham has two reasons why Africans were not afforded the same liberties as that of the white indentured servants in Virginia. The first reason he states is that the majority of white indentured servants came to Virginia on their own free will. Once they had completed their five or seven-year contract with their master, they were free to buy land and begin working for themselves. Unlike the African’s that he claims were brought here against their will or for desperation. The second reasoning is that the English thought that the black represented evil or danger and because African’s skin coloring was black, they must be evil. Higginbotham offers a couple of examples representing just how the English prior to the actual term of slavery being used, were already creating a racial difference in the judicial system. From court cases that he has reviewed, he states one must find what the case is not saying verses what it is. When the English identified people with names the only time skin color was not used in context is when that person was a white person. Another case he made use of is a good example of black inferiority to white superiority in the early 17th century is in the case In Re Graweere, 1641. The court made certain that a particular African father had no value in society when attempting to get his child back. However, because his son was...
It always maintained that taking someone’s God given right of freedom was against the church preaching’s and beliefs. In addition, some of the first emigrants to the newly discovered land (North America) were slaves themselves and they were white. One of the main reasons they immigrated to North America was to escape religious persecution. The political situation did not help either; too much support to antislavery and the church could lose the much needed support of wealthy churchgoers. The institution stopped short of actively going against the problem of slavery, instead they focused their efforts in making slavery more “tolerable” for slaves. After all, most of the church goers in the south were white slave owners and/or in some way or another supported slavery and the economic factors in benefitted. In the North, the Presbyterian Church had deplored the issue of black and religion; they were never unable or unwilling to tackle the problem from its source. In the North the free blacks had more religious freedom and were allowed to participate in churches or form their own congregations. There was another phenomenon that affected the lives of slaves in the plantations. Most owners controlled all aspects of their slaves to include religion. The owners used the Gospel as a social control method to tell the slaves why they had to obey their masters (according to God) and inculcate and foster the belief of having to serve and be faithful to their
his feelings about slavery. In the last year of the war and thereafter, more attention was spent by Washington on the issue of slavery. On February 5, 1783, Washington received
The Growing Opposition to Slavery 1776-1852 Many Americans’ eyes were opened in 1776, when members of the Continental Congress drafted, signed, and published the famous document “The Declaration of Independence” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By declaring their independence, many of the colonists believed that slaves should have the same rights as the whites had. Abolition groups were formed, and the fight to end slavery began. In 1776, Delaware became the first state to prohibit the importation of African slaves. One year later, in 1777, Vermont became the first colony to abolish slavery (within Vermont’s boundaries) by state constitution.
It was America mid 1850’s and slavery was a sensitive topic between the north and the south. It seemed slaves had no hope of ever changing America’s ways until a white man by the name of John Brown decided to stand up and fight for the abolishment of slavery, which has been said to be one of the major events leading up to the American Civil War. Browns actions were defended by himself claiming they were “consisting of God’s commandments” (Finkelman 2011). I will explain Brown’s deontological ethical perspective while preforming the actions for the abolishment of slavery.
...adiction to American religious ideals of pure, peaceable and impartial conduct. In being a devout man Master Thomas would convert many in the name of the church. His home even became the home of preachers to hold meetings and sermons. Nevertheless, this did not change his demeanor towards his slaves. For all his pious actions, inside Thomas was a vicious man who whipped, beat, and disowned his slaves in a warp sense of duty to the church and god, “Here was a recently-converted man, holding on upon the mother, and at the same time turning out her helpless child, to starve and die!”
In An Account of the Travels Sufferings and Persecutions of Barbara Blaugdone, Blaugdone describes her experiences as a traveling Quaker minister, most often those of persecution and imprisonment. Imprisonment was not an uncommon occurrence for Quakers, as Blaugdone exemplifies. Traveling from town to town, Blaugdone notes, “I had Prison in all those Places” (12). Although the Quaker ideal of denouncing the clergy was not necessarily uncommon, the Quakers were much more zealous in their pursuit to spread the Truth, therefore much of their persecution was due to their own perseverance (Trevett 18).
George Fox “founded the Quaker religion in 1647... rejected the use of formal sacraments and ministry, refused to take oaths a...
The first arrivals of Africans in America were treated similarly to the indentured servants in Europe. Black servants were treated differently from the white servants and by 1740 the slavery system in colonial America was fully developed.
Farming, sewing, and taking care of livestock were just a few responsibilities that were left to slaves during the 1600's. White families received all of the benefits from the work done, yet they rarely had to lift a finger, unless it was to correct a slave. Today's generation reads about slavery and regards it as morally wrong. While I agree that slavery was one of America's greatest wrongdoings, it paved the way for America as we know it today.
The point of view of slavery is going to be substantially different than from the previous views discussed coming from the slaves themselves. On January 18, 1773, a letter was written to Robert Pleasants, a Quaker; from Patrick Henry, a Virginian who was discussing the enslavement of African Americans in the colonies and his position on the matter. Henry being a white man in the Revolutionary era held power, was educated, and was able to articulate on the matter of slavery. Since Henry is discussing slavery from the view of the Quaker’s belief systems, his point of view is from a non-Christian standpoint. This opposes the discussion that gives any relationship of white colonists and African American slaves through the unity of sharing and worshiping the same
The Quakers in particular realized that this was very contradictory to the public morality of America. Slavery was constantly destroying the social and cultural defenses that Africans relied upon. As for women, they were denied the right to vote and to hold political offices. New Jersey lawmakers specifically had the mindset that women suffrage should be rejected for the “safety, quiet, and good order and dignity of the state.” However, these two groups began fight against their oppression. Through writing and petitioning, African Americans weaken the arguments in favor of slavery reminding whites that African Americans, too had the natural right to liberty. Furthermore, African Americans like Benjamin Banneker, Phillis Wheatley, and Richard Allen became more accomplished, leading whites to reconsider the role that African Americans could have in society. Slavery was eventually abolished by 1800 in the northern states due to these things. Although the racist mindset was still there, the abolishment of slavery in the north was a step in the right direction. Moreover, republicanism also encouraged women like Abigail Adams to take a stand. In response to the wave of republicanism that was sweeping America, made new demands on their husbands and government. African Americans made emphasis on natural rights. Women focused political ideology. They argued that if this new republic were to last, women must be able to “nurture the right values in their children and as wives to instruct their husbands in proper behavior.” Women began make advancement. In 1780, a large volunteer women’s organization was founded by Ester Deberdt. In 1790, the New Jersey legislature allowed property owning women to vote. Jefferson, however, said that America was still not prepared for a woman to hold office. Yet, the important aspect that was changing in America was the view that the essence of
The Quakers are a religion that originated in England in protest of the Anglican Church's practices. The man in charge of this religious revolution was George Fox.1 He believed that God didn't live in churches as much as he lived in people's hearts.2 In that state of mind, he went out into the world in search of his true religion. He argued with priests, slept in fields, and spent days and nights trying to find followers. His first followers were mostly young people and women.
The Religious Society of Friends was founded by George Fox during the 1600s in England. The term “Quaker” was given to the group as a way to ridicule them. As the popularity of the name began to emerge, members began to adapt the term and use it when speaking about themselves informally so that others could understand who they were. The Quaker movement began due to a religious upheaval as people began to question the church and wanted newer ways on how to understand Christianity. As a result of this, a group of “Friends” gathered together and followed leader George Fox believed that the spirit of god, or the “Inner Light,” was within each person, and that the worship of god had no need of a minister or priest. It was the belief that all members were their own minister. schrauwers (2001), explains: “Quaker’s stated that an experimental apprehension of god in the soul, the inner light, was open to all who would attend to its leadings; only those who are led by the spirit would stand and speak in meetings” (pg.433). This means the light is an experience open to everyone regardless of their culture or belief. (Ambler, 2008) The light will be effective if the person experiencing it gives it attention and once accepted will be able to lead people to the divine as well as guide them through life and unite others who are open as well. (Ambler, 2008). The Religious Society of Friend...
The Quakers were a group of people who journeyed to spread their faith and stand for what is right. The Quakers were founded by George Fox in England in the 1650’s ("Christianity: Religious Society of Friends [Quakers]"). Their group was also known as “The