Subject
Slavery -- Missouri Books
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United States. Work Projects Administration
Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves, Volume X, Missouri Narratives
"Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from…" is a collection of oral histories gathered between 1936 and 1938. Created by the Federal Writers' Project, this massive archive documents over 2,000 interviews with formerly enslaved people across seventeen states. The collection preserves firsthand accounts from the last generation who experienced slavery directly. However, because mostly white interviewers conducted these interviews during the Jim Crow era, historians debate how the power dynamics and racial tensions of the 1930s shaped these testimonies.
Henry Clay Bruce
The New Man: Twenty-nine years a slave, twenty-nine years a free man
"“The New Man: Twenty-nine Years a Slave, Twenty-nine Years a Free Man” by H. C. Bruce is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book recounts the author's personal experiences and reflections on slavery, detailing both the hardships faced by enslaved individuals and the diverse treatment they received from their masters. As someone who lived through nearly three decades of enslavement before gaining freedom, Bruce presents a nuanced perspective on slavery and its effects on both the enslaved and their masters." The opening of the book introduces the author's intent to provide an impartial account of slavery based on his own life experiences. He emphasizes that not all masters were cruel and not all slaves suffered equally, noting the existence of both kind and harsh masters. Bruce shares insights into the varying behaviors and characteristics among slaves, emphasizing the impact of bloodlines on their attitudes. He illustrates his upbringing in slavery, touching on significant events and relationships that shaped his life, including moments of joy and danger during his childhood. As he begins to recount specific experiences, he sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the complexities surrounding the institution of slavery and its aftermath.
William Wells Brown
Illustrated Edition of the Life and Escape of Wm. Wells Brown from American Slavery Written by Himself
"Illustrated Edition of the Life and Escape of Wm. Wells Brown from American Slavery" by Wm. Wells Brown is a historical account written in the mid-19th century. The narrative details the life experiences of the author, a fugitive slave, as he recounts his painful journey through slavery in America and his eventual escape to freedom. The book aims to raise awareness about the atrocities of slavery and advocate for emancipation, highlighting the experiences of the enslaved alongside Brown's personal story. The opening of the work sets the stage for the author's story by establishing his background, detailing his birth in Kentucky, the cruelty of plantation life, and the brutal realities faced by fellow slaves, such as Randall, whose defiance against punishment leads to severe retribution. Brown illustrates the psychological trauma endured by enslaved individuals, compounded by the fear of being separated from loved ones, as seen in his encounter with a mother and her child's distress over impending sale. This portion serves as a powerful prelude to his eventual escape, emphasizing the urgent desire for freedom that propels him forward amid the oppressive system of slavery.
Unknown
Address to the People of the United States, together with the Proceedings and Resolutions of the Pro-Slavery Convention of Missouri, Held at Lexington, July 1855
"Address to the People of the United States, together with the Proceedings and Resolutions of the Pro-Slavery Convention of Missouri, Held at Lexington, July, 1855" is a historical publication authored by various Missouri citizens, particularly reflecting the sentiments of pro-slavery advocates during the mid-19th century. Written during the period of heightened national tensions over slavery, this document addresses the political climate surrounding the admission of Kansas as a state and the implications of abolitionist movements on slaveholding states. The likely topic of the book revolves around justifying slavery and opposing the perceived threats posed by northern abolitionist efforts. The book serves as both an address and a collection of proceedings from a convention held by pro-slavery citizens in Missouri. It outlines the perceived dangers that Missouri and other slaveholding states faced from the influx of abolitionists into Kansas, emphasizing the financial and social threats posed to the region's slave-dependent economy. The authors argue for the principle of popular sovereignty in deciding the fate of slavery in new territories, asserting that any external interference from non-slaveholding states is unjust. The resolutions adopted by the convention underscore a commitment to defending the institution of slavery as crucial for the state's stability and economic wellbeing, while also calling for retaliatory measures against northern states supporting abolitionist agendas. Ultimately, the document encapsulates the deep divisions and tensions in the United States during the lead-up to the Civil War.
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