Up From Slavery Season 1 Episode 3 Slavery in the United States After the Revolution

Up From Slavery season 1 episode 3, titled "Slavery in the United States After the Revolution," explores the aftermath of the American Revolution and how it affected the institution of slavery in the newly formed United States. The episode delves into the contradiction between the revolutionary ideas of freedom and democracy espoused by the Founding Fathers and the continued existence of slavery in the southern states.

The episode begins with a brief overview of how slavery came to the Americas and how it became entrenched in the southern colonies. It then moves on to discuss the impact of the American Revolution on the institution of slavery. The episode argues that while the Revolution was supposed to be about freedom and liberty for all, it actually ended up entrenching slavery even further in the southern states.

The episode points out that the revolutionaries themselves were slave owners and that the Constitution they drafted protected the institution of slavery. This contradiction was not lost on the enslaved population, who saw the hypocrisy of the new nation's ideals. The episode features interviews with historians and activists who discuss the impact of this contradiction on the struggle for civil rights and equality in the United States.

The episode also explores the ways in which slavery evolved in the years following the Revolution. The invention of the cotton gin and the expansion of the cotton industry led to a massive increase in the demand for slave labor. The episode discusses the brutal conditions under which slaves worked on cotton plantations and the resistance they put up against their oppressors.

One of the main themes of the episode is the resistance of enslaved people to their condition. The episode features interviews with descendants of enslaved people who discuss the ways in which their ancestors resisted slavery, from acts of sabotage and rebellion to more subtle forms of resistance such as preserving their cultural traditions. The episode argues that this resistance was an important factor in the eventual downfall of the institution of slavery in the United States.

Overall, "Slavery in the United States After the Revolution" is a thought-provoking and timely exploration of the history of slavery in the United States and its lasting impact on American society. The episode challenges viewers to confront the contradictions at the heart of the American experiment and to consider the ongoing struggle for civil rights and equality in the United States.