early 1800s
There were many changes taking place in the US around the year 1800. The frontier land was constantly being pushed back by new settlements and would contribute to the history of slavery and African Americans. Louisana was purchased in 1803 and freedom-loving young settlers as well as successful cotton plantation masters moved west to try and exploit the unsettled land. This conflict was complicated by the Industrial revolution and development of the cotton gin which only promoted the use of slavery. The freedom-loving young settlers I mentioned were only one brand of explorers to the West. The other type of settler was the freedom-loving "exploit whoever I can along the way" type of settler who took many slaves with them and used the West to expand cotton production. African Americans played a large role in the exploration of the West. When Lewis and Clark set out in 1803 to explore the Louisiana Territory, Clark took his trusted slave York along. York distracted the Indians and provided food for Lewis and Clark through his skilled hunting and fishing. After the expedition was over, York was given his freedom and it is said that he returned to the West and became an Indian chief. The fur trade allowed many blacks to take
New York, however, in 1814 passed an act that would raise two regiments of men of color. However, these ideas of "freedom to all" were dependant on the successful use of slaves on the cotton fields. The domestic slave trade became much more profitable once the African trade was closed in 1808. Many of these free blacks fought in the Battle of New Orleans. Cotton-production was prominent, of course, in the Southern states but was becoming more present in the South Central states as well. Slaves were mated strictly for the purpose of selling them to the cotton kingdom in the West. a leading role in establishing the West. Inherent in this practice, the majority of these families were broken up to fetch higher prices than if they were to be sold as a family. African slave traders were given the opportunity to post bond when they were caught which was rare because most looked the other way during the 1850's. Each regiment would have about 1000 blacks that would be paid equal to that of whites. Settlers in the new frontier realizing the potential for wealth were hungry for slaves. The West was considered a chance to make possible the development of a great 'empire of liberty' in the New World. The War of 1812 offered African-Americans yet another chance to serve their country. The exploration of the West was slowed by the political stress of this time period.
Common topics in this essay:
West Slave,
Central Wealthy,
Americans Louisana,
Indians Europeans,
Orleans Jackson,
South Central,
Lewis Clark,
Louisiana Territory,
,
Andrew Jackson,
african trade,
cotton kingdom,
lewis clark,
exploration west,
cotton kingdom west,
freedom-loving settlers,
south central,
type settler,
successful cotton,
slave trade,
free blacks fought,
slave traders,
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Acceptance Essays
