Twelve Years a Slave

Whites have longed argued that slavery was good for slaves because it civilized them and that slaves were content to be held in bondage. But such is not the case, at least not according to those who were actually held in bondage. The accounts of slavery are greatly known by emancipated or run away slaves. One recorded account of slavery is by Solomon B. Northup's autobiography, Twelve Years a Slave which was published in 1853.

Solomon Northup was born a freeman in New York in 1808 (3). His father, who had been a slave until his owner death had granted him his freedom in his, wills (5). In 1829, Northup married Anne Hampton and worked as a laborer in Hartford (6). However, Solomon was captured after being tricked by slave traders to work for them while working in Washington in 1841 and sold as a slave into Louisiana (15).

A slave was considered in law as property, or chattel (Lecture Notes, 9-12-03), and was deprived of most rights ordinarily held by free persons. Slavery typically occurs in societies whose economy is of a market type capable of producing surpluses. Slavery existed over two--hundred and forty years. Slaves were considered property rather than persons (AP, 96). They had few legal rights: in court, their testimony was inadmissible in cases involving whites (246, 247); they could make no contract nor own any property; even if attacked, they could not strike a white person (80); they could not be away from their owner's premises without permission; they could not assemble unless a white person was present; they could not be taught to read or write; and they were not permitted to marry. Offenders were subject to punishment, including whipping, branding, imprisonment, and death (81-83).

Magnolia Myth conception is singularly insulting, since it implies that slavery is ok, as long as slaves are treated well (Lecture Notes, 10/27-31/03). And it implies that as long as slave owners weren't beaten then bondage might even have been good for the slaves. The Magnolia Myth spread that slaves were content and in fact happy to be kept in bondage. Slaves owners in the south published pamphlets to show that slaves were happy being in bondage, pamphlets includes slaves dancing, well dressed, smiling. Slave owner in response to northerners abolitionist pamphlet, southerner argued that southerners treated their slaves better than northerner treated free blacks and their workers (Lecture Notes, 10/31/03). Southerners in retaliation included pictures of what they felt blacks lived and treated in the north, pictures included black working as prostitutes, sleeping on the streets, poor, working long hours and being mistreated in the factories, and being sick constantly (Lecture Notes, 10/31/03).

Southerners slave owners who argued that slavery was good for slaves longed used the bible and whips to support their theory and philosophy that slavery civilized slaves. Peter Tanner used the bible to explicate to his slave the importance of being obedience. Peter Tanner had a habit of reading to his slave each Sabbath. During Solomon Northup brief visit to Peter Tanner's plantation he recalls, Peter Tanner reading to his slaves from the Twelfth chapter of Luke, Tanner says that those who is not obedient to God including whites shall receive "strip" meaning whips upon their backs (94). Twelve years Solomon Northup better known by Platt his slave given endured the pain of lashing and watching