Historical Context


​​​​​​​ Background

Voice of Oppression

Fugitive Slave Law of 1793


According to history.com the Fugitive Slave Act 1793 authorized local governments to seize and return escapees to their owners and imposed penalties on anyone who aided in their flight.

At the time of this act there were 5 Northern states (Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut ) that had already abolished slavery. This raised a concern that the free states would be options for slaves  to escape from slavery. But according to the Constitution (Article 4, Section 2, Clause 3) these concerns didn’t have merit because it said that owners had the right to search for their slaves within the borders of free states.

The Daily Gazette ~ May 2014

Warning Poster of Slave Hunters in the area~ MarkMaynard.com~ 2015.

Communication for Action

Oppostition -Fugitive Slave Law


Opposition to the Fugitive Slave Act argued that this would only lead to bounty hunters evading free states. Many that opposed this act set up safe houses and networks that would assist slaves. It would be acknowledged that many free blacks were illegally captured and sold into slavery. Solomon Northup is an example as he was kidnapped in 1841 and taken to Louisiana to live as a slave for 12 years. ​​​​​​​

Connecting the Need for Slaves

Invention of the Cotton Gin


Eli Whitney changed the landscape of the South with his invention of the cotton gin in 1794. It allowed cotton to become so profitable by removing the seeds quicker but in turn it would lead to an increase in demand for land and slaves to work the land. The number of southern slave states also increased during this time from 6 to 15 and the plantation system spread throughout the south. According to History.com approximately one in three Southerners was a slave. 

Eli Whitney's Patent for the Cotton Gin, March 14, 1794; Records of the Patent and Trademark Office; Record Group 241, National Archives.

"One man and a horse will do more than fifty men with the old machines. . . Tis generally said by those who know anything about it, that I shall make a Fortune by it."

~ Eli Whitney to his father

“Am I gagged or am I not?”

Representative John Quincy Adams responding to the gag rule in the House of Representatives, May 25, 1836

Silence on Slavery

Congress "Gag Rule" 1836

The House of Representatives passed a resolution in 1836 that automatically postponed all petitions relating to slavery and was extended to further sessions of Congress until 1844. This was brought on by the thousands of petitions sent to Congress from the American Anti-Slavery Society.  The gag rule came to an end when John Quincey Adams made a motion to finally not stifle the voice of Americans.