Chapter Overview

In the decades following the American Revolution, the future was decidedly unclear for slaves and their hope for release from bondage. The government of the new nation passed a succession of legislature to restrict slaves from involvement in many areas of social participation. Yet, many slaves were given their freedom in southern states after the war, and most northern states began a grass-roots process of abolishing slavery altogether through gradual tactics of legislation and judiciary precedent. Slaves of the era found inspiration not only in the outcome of the American Revolution, but also those liberating wars of France and Haiti. The few blacks managing release from bondage and acquisition of property unsuccessfully sought to establish the vote for themselves, but blacks were successful in establishing the enduring institutions of many black churches, schools, fraternal organizations, and community mutual-aid groups. Some freed slaves considered returning to Africa, but a majority remained and continued the struggle against the institution of slavery.

Learning Objectives

After reading this chapter you should understand the following:

• The demographic makeup of African Americans in the era following the American Revolutionary War
• Which community-based black organizations were established in this period
• The emerging role of African Americans in the political landscape of the new country
• The causations, circumstances, and implications of the Louisiana Purchase
• The context of African American writing and art during this era
• The impact of the War of 1812 on African Americans in terms of patriotism and the ongoing paradox of slavery versus freedom
• The attempts by some organizations of African Americans to "return" to Africa through settlement societies