HOW BENJAMIN BANNEKER CHALLENGED JEFFERSON ON RACE AND FREEDOM

Chief John Ross was a significant figure within the Cherokee nation, having held many esteemed positions. In 1827, he was responsible for drafting the Cherokee constitution and subsequently served as their principal chief from 1828 to 1866. Throughout his leadership, he tirelessly advocated for the Cherokee people, particularly in opposition to the Indian Removal Act, which aimed to force them to relocate. As a vocal spokesperson for the tribe, he presented numerous cases for why they should not be subjected to such displacement.

When the Treaty Party unlawfully signed a new treaty in 1835, Ross actively fought against it, sending multiple letters and petitions. In 1838, when the Cherokees were forcibly marched along the Trail of Tears, Ross led the tribe through the treacherous conditions, resulting in the loss of 1/4 of their population. Despite the immense challenges they faced, Ross remained their principal chief for 27 years, tirelessly rebuilding the Cherokee community. Until his death in 1866, he continued to fight for the rights of Cherokees and slaves.

During times of slavery, the distinction between a house slave and a field slave was significant as each had distinct roles to play. The duties of a house slave primarily involved the upkeep of the master's home, cooking, cleaning, and attending to the needs of the master and their family. Although these slaves usually lived within the homes or on the property, they still experienced harsh living conditions, including starvation, sleeping on the floor, and even sexual assault.

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In contrast, field slaves worked six or seven days a week, from morning until night, in all weather conditions. Their labor involved farming, harvesting, tending to animals, and other physically demanding tasks. They worked without breaks, and water was not readily available to keep them hydrated. When they failed to perform their duties adequately, they were severely beaten.

The Black Codes were a series of laws passed in 1865 after the Civil War, which significantly limited the new freedom granted to African Americans. With the end of the Civil War, four million slaves were emancipated, and many found themselves with little to no support. White Southerners constructed specific state laws to restrict the rights of people of color.

These laws placed limits on the amount of land they could own and the types of jobs they were allowed to have, usually only permitting them to work as farmers or servants. Anything beyond these occupations had to be approved by a judge. People of color were given the option to sign labor contracts, which were similar to the rules of slavery but with the right to refuse unreasonable requests. Those who did not comply with the new laws faced harsher punishments in the court system, including years in jail or even the death penalty.

Institutional racism, which is the policies and practices of institutions that negatively impact racial minorities' access to equal opportunities, goods, and more, was exemplified by the Indian Removal Act, which targeted Native Americans and forced them to relocate from their ancestral lands. Following the emancipation of slaves after the Civil War, many states passed black codes that not only limited their freedom but also prevented them from voting. The Jim Crow laws were later enacted, segregating people of color from whites in schools, government workforces, and churches.

Remember Thy Ladies is significant because it is a letter written by Abigail Adams to her husband John Adams in 1776. In the letter, Abigail requested that when creating new laws, John Adams should remember to give women the rights they deserved. She believed that this was an opportunity to provide women with the same opportunities as their ancestors. Abigail not only asked for women's rights but also paved the way for women to fight for equality and express their patriotism.

Banneker's letter to Thomas Jefferson emphasized the importance of granting equal rights to people of color, reminding him that despite their diverse situations and colors, they all belonged to the same family. While masters offered opportunities for slaves to remain with them during the freeing of slaves, Jourdon Anderson, a former slave, declined as he had already obtained his free papers. Banneker's message was supported by slaves who confronted their masters about their conditions. Although Banneker was never enslaved, he related to the hardships faced due to his skin color.

The Other Civil War played an essential role during the Anti-Rent movement, where over a thousand farmers rallied to prohibit landowners from evicting them. The crisis of 1837 left many people unemployed and seeking land, leading to numerous strikes and shutdowns, including the railroads. Labor laws came into effect during this period. Meanwhile, in Rhode Island, workers endured harsh conditions.

The US used Manifest Destiny to justify their territorial expansion, which resulted in the mistreatment and forced relocation of Native Americans, including the Cherokee tribe. The discovery of gold caused a large number of settlers to invade, leading to thousands dying from starvation and weather conditions during the Trail of Tears. The US acted on greed for gold and land, disregarding the loss of life. Only one-third of the Louisiana Purchase was utilized, making the war unnecessary as the US still had a significant amount of land for advancement.

Reconstruction was initiated in 1867 under the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, who proposed that certain people of color, including free blacks and military personnel, should have the right to vote. However, he was assassinated just three days later, and Andrew Johnson assumed the presidency. Johnson aligned himself with the southern states and ordered the return of all land that had been granted to freed slaves to its pre-war owners.

He also allowed the passage of the black codes, which limited the activities and job opportunities of African Americans. Congress, however, vetoed Johnson's policies and passed the 14th Amendment, which defined citizenship, equal protection, and the Bill of Rights. The 15th Amendment, which passed later, prohibited states from denying men the right to vote based on race, although it did not address other forms of discrimination such as education.

In 1866, the Ku Klux Klan was established by ex-soldiers, and during the civil rights movement, they increased their crimes of hate against African Americans, terrorizing them, brutally attacking them in public places, schools, and destroying their homes. It is believed that the KKK emerged during the civil rights movement because they saw the increasing equality of people of color as a threat.

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