July, 2008 Summer Institute Workshop
Museum of African American History, Boston, Mass.

Documents for the Forgotten Populations -- Working Towards Freedom Through Government lesson

Throughout our examination of the origins and workings of the United States government, we should be mindful that select populations have not always enjoyed the freedoms and liberty afforded to others. This lesson seeks to examine some of the ways that reform movements, particularly the Anti-Slavery movement, sought to bring those people into the larger conversation and under the protection of the government. Chiefly through peaceful means, here in Essex County, a number of famous reformers were employed in bettering the lot of slaves and also women. Frederick Douglass, Harriet Beecher Stowe, William Lloyd Garrison all had ties to Essex County, and brought many other famous people here by their presence. Lesser known reformers, such as Charlotte Forten and the Remond family also worked diligently to help black people gain their rightful place in America. Ordinary people attended meetings, sold items at “fairs,” and frequented lectures all aimed at changing society and the governmental policies that oppressed African Americans. Through their efforts the institution of slavery was challenged at a time when the majority of Americans accepted it. They were able, if only in a small way, to influence governmental policies by their actions.

Documents ...from the Andover Historical Society, Andover, MA

• 
• Andover Advertiser, Andover, MA, February 1862 (article and transcript as .pdf)
• Andover has a tradition as an area that played a great part in the Anti-Slavery movement. It served as a stop on the Underground Railway and was home to Harriet Beecher Stowe when her husband was employed as a professor at the Andover Theological Seminary. Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison and Sojourner Truth visited her at the "Stone Cabin" as well. This short article from the Andover Advertiser is not linked to the Anti-Slavery movement, but gives a short report on a gathering of the Ladies Charitable Society of West Boxford. As another of the reform movements, this society raised money to better the area's poor. They mention the activity of providing "tableaux" as an evening's entertainment. The lesson that accompanies these sources makes use of this activity as well.

Websites which provide materials used in the lesson...

What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? - transcript of a speech by Frederick Douglass given on July 5, 1852

PBS Site; Historical Document - " Meaning of the Fourth of July to the Negro" - this site is invaluable in explaining the situation of black people in America in the early years of the US

Women and Abolition page... of the Using Essex History website- this page includes further info on Charlotte Forten and links to the John Greenleaf Whittier home and the Rogers statuettes used in the main lesson

Salem In History Educator's Guide - Expanding Westward - this page leads to items in the Peabody Essex museum's collections. You can access the Sarah Remond image and the "Poor Slave" handkerchief here.

Other websites of interest...

Words of Thunder ... - lessons developed by the Museum of African American History using material from Frederick Douglass, Charlotte Forten, and other abolitionists & women’s rights’ figures

To Educate the Heart... Salem State College website devoted to a study of Charlotte Forten and blacks in Salem

Andover Historical Society, Andover, MA -The society has published a pamphlet entitled The Anti-Slavery Movement and the Underground Railroad in Andover & Greater Lawrence, Massachusetts which gives information on people and events of interest for this lesson. It is obtainable from the society for a small fee.