Plessy v Furguson

From Slavery to Segregation: Was America Moving Toward Equality?

When we look at American history after the Civil War, one big question stands out: Was the country moving toward equality, or was it finding new ways to keep people separated by race?

The history leading up to Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896 shows that America had already taken important steps toward equal rights, even as segregation became more common.

Freedom Was Only the Beginning

In 1865, the United States passed the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery. For millions of formerly enslaved people, this was a major turning point. However, ending slavery did not automatically mean that everyone had equal rights.

The government took another important step in 1868 with the 14th Amendment. It established citizenship for people born or naturalized in the United States and guaranteed equal protection under the law.

Think about what that meant. After a war fought partly over slavery, the Constitution was changed to protect the rights of Black Americans. If everyone was supposed to receive equal protection, shouldn't that apply to riding a train, attending public places, and participating in everyday life?

The Government Took More Steps

The movement toward equality continued. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 established important legal rights for Black Americans, including the right to make contracts, own property, and receive equal protection under the law.

Then, in 1875, Congress passed another Civil Rights Act. It aimed to prevent racial discrimination in public accommodations, including inns, public transportation, and theaters.

These laws suggest that the nation was beginning to recognize that freedom should include equal treatment in public life. The goal was not simply to end slavery, but also to give Black Americans the rights that came with citizenship.

But Progress Did Not Last Without a Fight

Unfortunately, the country did not move toward equality in a straight line. 

In 1883, the Supreme Court struck down the Civil Rights Act of 1875, 

weakening federal protection against racial discrimination by private 

businesses and individuals.

Southern states increasingly passed laws requiring racial separation. These became known as Jim Crow laws.

By the time Plessy v. Ferguson reached the Supreme Court in 1896, Louisiana had passed a law requiring separate railroad cars for Black and white passengers.

Homer Plessy challenged that law because he believed racial segregation violated the Constitution's promise of equal protection. However, the Supreme Court ruled against him and upheld the state's segregation law.

You can read the National Archives' account of Plessy v. Ferguson to see how the decision helped establish the idea of “separate but equal.”

What Does This Tell Us About American History?

To me, the most important part of this history is the contrast between the promises made after the Civil War and the segregation laws that followed.

The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, along with the Civil Rights Acts, showed that the country had taken real steps toward freedom, citizenship, and equal rights. Segregation represented a major setback to those goals.

As Plessy's lawyer, I would argue that the nation had already recognized the importance of equality through its Constitution and laws. The fact that some states were moving backward did not mean the promise of equal protection had disappeared.

America's history after the Civil War was not a simple story of progress. It was a struggle over whether the country would live up to its own promises of freedom and equality.

AI DISCLOSURE : AI was used in a limited way in this assignment. I used AI to find facts about Plessy in American history. I personalized those notes. I then used Copilot to help me clean up the text for grammar, spelling, and punctuation I also asked the tool to help me shape it into the form of a blog post, I then edited the text, added links and added images and captions. 

'GWTW' Prompt

 ‘Gone with the Wind’ Reconsidered 

One thing that stood out to me while watching Gone with the Wind was how the characters reacted to the war and how much their lives started to change. I think the movie shows different types of human behavior, even though it doesn't really fully show how horrible slavery really was. The characters experience emotions and relationships that people can still relate to today, but the movie also leaves out very important parts of history. 

Mammy was one of the most interesting characters in. my opinion. She was honest and not afraid to speak her mind. From the beginning, she keeps Scarlett under control and makes sure to keep her in check. Even though Mammy is enslaved, she seems smarter than a lot of the white people around her. She understands their personalities and knows when to comfort them. I think she plays a huge role of keeping the house organized as she understands what needs to be done. However, I also think the movie makes slavery seem less horrible than it actually was. Mammy is shown as a loyal and caring person, but the movie does not fully show the lack of freedom and unfair treatment that enslaved people experienced. This makes me question how much of the movie is realistic.

Scarlett also stood out to me because she changes as the war begins and as it starts to affect her life. In the beginning, she comes off as very spoiled and solely focused on her appearance, her popularity, and her relationships with men. She is used to getting what she wants and does not seem to think about the problems that other people face. However, as the war begins, she starts to realize that her current lifestyle might not last forever. She has to deal with uncertainty and situations that are beyond her control. I think this shows how difficult experiences can force people to grow up. The war also challenges the normal expectations for Southern women because they are no longer able to focus only on their social lives. They have to become stronger and be prepared to handle a lot of unexpected problems.

Rhett Butler is another interesting character because he does not seem as interested in fighting for the Confederate cause as much as the other men do. Instead, he focuses on making more money and basically tries to profit off the war. I think his choices can come off as very selfish, but he also appears more realistic about the situation than people who believe the war is only about honor. His behavior shows me that some people tend to find ways to profit from difficult situations . Even today, businesses can make money by supplying food, equipment, and resources during wars.

Overall, the first half of Gone with the Wind shows how differently people react when their lives begin to change. Mammy shows strength and honesty, Scarlett starts facing challenges to her privileged lifestyle, and Rhett focuses on opportunities during the war. Although the movie tells an entertaining story, I think it is important to recognize that it romanticizes parts of Southern life and does not fully explain the horrors of slavery. It shows some realistic human emotions, but we should also think critically about the history it leaves out.

Mock Trial Reaction

I thought the mock trial was really interesting as it was about freedom and whether people should be treated equally under the law.

The case was State v. Mann. John Mann was a slave owner who shot a woman named Lydia after she tried to run away. Lydia was an enslaved woman, and she shot John Mann in the back. She did not die, but Mann was charged and had to pay a $5 fine.

What I found interesting was that the trial focused a lot on whether enslaved people were considered property or people with rights. Mann’s lawyers argued that slaves were seen as property. They basically said that property cannot feel pain and does not have human rights.

The state argued something different. They talked about how the 1830s were a time when people were starting to think more about morality and religion. They also talked about how churches and town meetings helped people think about slavery and the idea of freedom.

I thought it was interesting how religion and moral beliefs were connected to the abolition movement. It showed how people’s views about slavery were starting to change.

Overall, I thought the trial was a good way to learn about freedom because it showed how complicated freedom and rights were during this time. It also made me think about how the law can treat different groups of people very differently. 

Eight Values

Promote Innovation 

    The theory that stands out to me the most is Jack Balkin’s idea of “Promote Innovation” from Living Originalism. The Author explains how, when people have freedom of speech, society can become more creative. People are able to share their ideas and their own different ways of thinking. I think this idea connects a lot to social media because social media is such a big part of everyday life, especially for people my age.

    

    I use social media almost every day. I use Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat to talk to my friends, watch videos, and see what is happening in the world. Social media is also a place where people can share their ideas and market themselves or other things. Someone can post something that they created, and it can reach thousands or even millions of people. This is an example of innovation because people can take an idea and turn it into something much bigger.

    For example, people can even use TikTok and Instagram to start and build businesses. Someone might make a new type of clothing or makeup product and market it by posting online. If the post does well, the person can turn that idea into a real business. I think this would have been much harder to do before social media became so popular. People now have a way to share their ideas without needing a big company or a lot of money behind them.

    There are also a lot of opinions about social media and how it can affect people. California recently passed new laws dealing with social media and children. The laws include restrictions like the autoplay feature and controlling certain feeds for people under 16. (California's new social media laws)

AI DISCLOSURE - I used Microsoft Copilot as a brainstorming and research assistance tool while developing this blog post. Copilot helped me identify sources and organize my ideas. I reviewed the information provided, selected the sources used, and wrote and revised the final post myself. The opinions, reflections, and conclusions expressed in this assignment are my own.

Gerrit Smith Script

Good evening, friends and neighbors.

My name is Gerrit Smith, and I thank you for gathering here tonight to discuss one of the most important moral questions facing our nation: the question of slavery.

I come before you not merely as a reformer or a politician, but as a fellow citizen who believes that every human being is entitled to liberty. Slavery is not simply a political disagreement. It is a moral wrong. It denies men, women, and children the most basic rights given to them by God and by nature.

For far too long, our country has tolerated a system that allows one person to claim ownership over another. Families are separated. Human beings are bought and sold. Their labor is taken from them without consent. Their freedom is stripped away. No nation that calls itself free can honestly defend such practices.

Many people tell us that slavery will eventually disappear on its own. Others say that abolishing it too quickly would be disruptive. I must respectfully disagree. If slavery is wrong, then it is wrong today. If a person deserves freedom, then that person deserves freedom now. Justice delayed is justice denied.

My opposition to slavery is rooted in my Christian faith. I believe that all people are equal before God. The command to love our neighbors cannot be reconciled with the buying and selling of human beings. Some attempt to use religion to justify slavery, but I believe that true Christianity calls us to stand with the oppressed, not with their oppressors.

Faith, however, is not enough if it remains silent. We must be willing to act. We must speak against slavery openly in our churches, our communities, and our government. The time for silence has passed.

For this reason, I have supported the antislavery movement with both my voice and my resources. I have worked alongside dedicated abolitionists and supported efforts to spread antislavery ideas throughout the country. I have also opened my home in Peterboro to those seeking freedom and supported the cause of the Underground Railroad. I believe that when people are fleeing injustice, they deserve help, not punishment. [nationalab...museum.org], [britannica.com]

I also believe that political action is necessary. Slavery will not disappear simply because we wish it away. Citizens must use the power of voting, organizing, and public debate to challenge laws that protect human bondage. Governments exist to secure liberty, not to deny it.

Yet freedom means more than breaking chains. A truly free society must provide opportunity. Black Americans deserve the chance to own land, receive an education, and participate fully in American life. Freedom without opportunity is incomplete.

My friends, history will judge the choices we make today. Future generations will ask whether we stood against slavery when it was difficult, or whether we remained silent when our voices were needed most.

I ask each of you to choose courage over comfort. Choose justice over convenience. Choose freedom over oppression.

If we truly believe in liberty, then we must extend it to all people, regardless of race or circumstance. Let us work together to build a nation that lives up to its highest principles and finally fulfills the promise of freedom.

Thank you, and may God guide us in this righteous cause.

AI DISCLOSURE : AI was used in a limited way in this assignment. I used AI to find facts about Gerrit Smith. I personalized those notes. I then used Copilot to help me clean up the text for grammar, spelling, and punctuation I also asked the tool to help me shape it into the form of a blog post, I then edited the text, added links and added images and captions. 

The American Anti-Slavery Society: A Fight for Freedom

The American Anti-Slavery Society, or AASS, was founded in Philadelphia on December 4, 1833. Its leaders included William Lloyd Garrison and Arthur Tappan. The organization brought together abolitionists who wanted to make ending slavery a national priority (Library of Congress, “The American Anti-Slavery Society”).

When Americans talk about freedom, we often think about the Declaration of Independence and the idea that everyone is created equal. But in the 1800s, slavery made that promise impossible for millions of people. The American Anti-Slavery Society was one of the organizations that challenged this contradiction.

The AASS believed that freedom could not wait.

 At the time, some people supported gradual emancipation, meaning slavery would end slowly over time. The AASS rejected that approach. Its members argued that enslaved people deserved freedom immediately and without compensation to slaveholders. They also connected their beliefs to the Declaration of Independence and its promise of equality (American Anti-Slavery Society, Declaration of Sentiments).

The society used several ways to spread its message. Members gave speeches, published newspapers and pamphlets, organized local chapters, and sent petitions to Congress. The organization also encouraged boycotts of cotton and other products made through slave labor (Library of Congress, “American Anti-Slavery Society”).

The movement grew quickly. By the 1840s, the AASS had become a major national abolitionist organization. Its publications and public lectures helped bring antislavery ideas to people throughout the country (Library of Congress, “American Anti-Slavery Society”).

One of the most important parts of the AASS was its connection to Black abolitionists.

Frederick Douglass became one of the movement’s most influential speakers. In 1841, after speaking at an antislavery meeting, Douglass was hired as an abolitionist speaker and became closely connected with William Lloyd Garrison and the abolitionist movement (Library of Congress, “Frederick Douglass Timeline”).

The society also faced serious opposition. Some Americans believed abolitionists were threatening the country’s stability. Antislavery activists faced harassment and violence because of their beliefs.

The AASS also had disagreements within its own ranks. Some members wanted to work through politics, while others, including Garrison, believed the Constitution itself supported slavery. These disagreements eventually caused divisions within the abolitionist movement.

Even with those problems, the society made a lasting impact. It helped organize people around the idea that slavery was a national injustice. It also helped keep abolition in the national conversation through speeches, publications, and activism.

The AASS did not end slavery by itself. The Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Thirteenth Amendment were all major parts of the process. However, the society helped build the abolitionist movement that pushed the country toward emancipation.

The organization eventually dissolved in 1870, five years after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery (Library of Congress, “American Anti-Slavery Society”).

The American Anti-Slavery Society matters because it shows that freedom is not just an idea—it is something people have to fight to make real.

Its members challenged America to live up to its own promises. Their work reminds us that major changes often begin with people who are willing to question what society has accepted for too long.

Works Cited

American Anti-Slavery Society. The Constitution of the American Anti-Slavery Society: With the Declaration of the National Anti-Slavery Convention at Philadelphia, December, 1833. 1838. Library of Congress.

Library of Congress. “American Anti-Slavery Society.” A Nation of Joiners: Voluntary Associations in America, Library of Congress.

Library of Congress. “Frederick Douglass Timeline.” Frederick Douglass Papers, Library of Congress.

Bible Challenge

Slavery in The Bible

Throughout history, Christianity has been used both to support slavery and to be against it. People on both sides of the debate looked to the Bible for guidance and used different passages to justify their beliefs. As a result, the same religious text was interpreted and translated in very different ways over time.

 Many Christians reached the opposing conclusion and argued that the Bible's overall message was against slavery. One of the strongest arguments came from Galatians 3:28, which teaches that there is neither slavery or  freedom because all people are one in Jesus Christ. Abolitionists believed this verse demonstrated the equality of all human beings before God and challenged the idea that one person could possibly own another.

[openbible.info], [biblestudytools.com]

People that agreed with slavery also emphasized the Bible's teachings on freedom. Galatians 5:1 declares that Christ has set people free, and many Christians believed that owning another person contradicted this statement. They argued that the message of Christianity promotes liberty, dignity, and respect for every individual. [openbible.info], [biblestudytools.com]

Another important argument came from Exodus 21:16, which agrees with kidnapping and selling people into slavery. Since the slave trade involved  forcing humans to be transported, abolitionists believed it violated biblical law. They also pointed to Luke 4:18, where Jesus speaks of bringing freedom to the oppressed. Together, these passages led many Christians to conclude that slavery was inconsistent with the values of justice, compassion, and human equality taught throughout the Bible. 

However, some Christians used the Bible to argue that slavery was acceptable. They pointed out that the Old Testament contains laws that support slavery rather than completely banning it. One of the most commonly cited passages was Leviticus 25:44-46, which states that the Israelites could get male and female slaves from surrounding nations and pass them on as inherited property. Supporters believed that because these instructions were included in God's law, slavery was permitted under certain circumstances. [openbible.info]

Christians who believed in slavery also referred to verses in the New Testament. Ephesians 6:5 tells slaves to obey their, “earthly masters with respect and sincerity”, while 1 Peter 2:18 tells servants to, “submit to their masters, even when those masters are harsh”. These passages are evidence that slavery was accepted in the early Christian world. [openbible.info], [biblestudytools.com]

Another argument was that Jesus never directly called for the abolition of slavery. Because the New Testament focuses on spiritual salvation rather than ending social institutions, some Christians concluded that slavery itself was not sinful. As a result, supporters believed that as long as masters treated their slaves fairly, slavery could exist in a Christian society. [biblestudytools.com], [openbible.info]

In conclusion, the Bible has been used throughout history to support both sides of the slavery debate. Some Christians focused on passages that regulated slavery and taught obedience, while others emphasized freedom and equality. These different interpretations demonstrate how religious beliefs can influence social issues and why understanding historical context is important when studying religion and slavery.

AI DISCLOSURE : AI was used in a limited way in this assignment. I used AI to find facts about Gerrit Smith. I personalized those notes. I then used Copilot to help me clean up the text for grammar, spelling, and punctuation I also asked the tool to help me shape it into the form of a blog post, I then edited the text, added links and added images and captions.