http://www.historynet.com/george-washington-his-troubles-with-slavery.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=george-washington-his-troubles-with-slavery From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:15:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 http://www.historynet.com/george-washington-his-troubles-with-slavery.htm#comment-779998 Rudy Alcala Tue, 25 Oct 2011 04:21:13 +0000 #comment-779998 George Washington was born into a world where slavery was considered a normal part of life. At the age of 11, he inherited 10 slaves from his father. He expanded his landholdings and aquired more slaves over the years to improve his productivity of his farms. He was in the tobaccoo business and owned over 100 slaves. His wife also owned over 100 slaves, that she inherited from her first husband. The slaves intermingled and George even honored the slaves marriages. His attitude toward slavery began to transform. He began thinking of ways to free his slaves without breaking up the families among them. Since only half of the slaves were his he legally could only free his half. He transformed his estate into a more self-sefficient wheat and grain plantation, which required less intensive labor. He planned on selling some of his land to fund his plan to free all the slaves of his estate. He was very determined to free the slaves but could not manage to fund the plan. He wrote in his will and testament his plan to free the slaves of Mt. Vernon. It became publicly known that Washington had become against slavery and he wanted his country men to slowly abolish slavery for it was against the principles of mankind. George Washington was born into a world where slavery was considered a normal part of life. At the age of 11, he inherited 10 slaves from his father. He expanded his landholdings and aquired more slaves over the years to improve his productivity of his farms. He was in the tobaccoo business and owned over 100 slaves. His wife also owned over 100 slaves, that she inherited from her first husband. The slaves intermingled and George even honored the slaves marriages. His attitude toward slavery began to transform. He began thinking of ways to free his slaves without breaking up the families among them. Since only half of the slaves were his he legally could only free his half. He transformed his estate into a more self-sefficient wheat and grain plantation, which required less intensive labor. He planned on selling some of his land to fund his plan to free all the slaves of his estate. He was very determined to free the slaves but could not manage to fund the plan. He wrote in his will and testament his plan to free the slaves of Mt. Vernon. It became publicly known that Washington had become against slavery and he wanted his country men to slowly abolish slavery for it was against the principles of mankind.

]]> http://www.historynet.com/george-washington-his-troubles-with-slavery.htm#comment-779981 Austin Miller Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:07:10 +0000 #comment-779981 George Washington was man who became an idol to many. He talked, they listened. His leadership was the kind to talk a cloud from the sky. With that being said; Washington had an issue with slaves. At the age of ten he had many that were passed down from his father. He looked up to his father in many ways. As he grew older he began to lead the country as president. Although he didn’t stand for much slavery, he still had ownership. This was a sketchy topic for him during his campaign for presidency. As much as he possibly could, he distanced himself from such. He also didn’t believe in separating enslaved families. During slave trades, if it involved breaking up families; Washington was not for it. With his years in presidency winding down as fast as his health, he stated in his will that his slaves are to be freed. Although Washington had slaves and showed signs of hypocrisy, I commend him on keeping the families together. He shows that breaking up a family could be the worst possible out anything a slave could have thrown at them. I understand why he did so and that is what makes him a tolerable man. After his speech given about freeing the slaves, it had its effects on the countrymen. This may not have freed all slave, but it did have an impact on the organization of slavery. George Washington was man who became an idol to many. He talked, they listened. His leadership was the kind to talk a cloud from the sky. With that being said; Washington had an issue with slaves. At the age of ten he had many that were passed down from his father. He looked up to his father in many ways. As he grew older he began to lead the country as president. Although he didn’t stand for much slavery, he still had ownership. This was a sketchy topic for him during his campaign for presidency. As much as he possibly could, he distanced himself from such. He also didn’t believe in separating enslaved families. During slave trades, if it involved breaking up families; Washington was not for it. With his years in presidency winding down as fast as his health, he stated in his will that his slaves are to be freed.
Although Washington had slaves and showed signs of hypocrisy, I commend him on keeping the families together. He shows that breaking up a family could be the worst possible out anything a slave could have thrown at them. I understand why he did so and that is what makes him a tolerable man. After his speech given about freeing the slaves, it had its effects on the countrymen. This may not have freed all slave, but it did have an impact on the organization of slavery.

]]> http://www.historynet.com/george-washington-his-troubles-with-slavery.htm#comment-779950 Marisa Hamilton Mon, 24 Oct 2011 06:10:55 +0000 #comment-779950 Washington seemed like a generally nice guy for wanting to free slaves and also refusing to sell or trade them if it meant that it was separating husband and wife ore families. When Washington was a child he wanted to be just like his father. He also grew up in a time where slavery was an everyday normal lifestyle. About the time he had inherited his first few slaves from his father, he was eager to expand his land and thought it was important to increase the productivity of hid farms. He also thought it was important to win the election to public office. I think at that time frame Washington was a brave man for not trading his slaves; it was a bold move back then and was almost unheard of. Washington was also a silent man about his disagreements; some think he should have been more out spoken about his thoughts. To my understanding he was a man that most respected and looked up to and people would listen to him about almost anything. He wasn’t a very impulsive character and usually thought things through so I’m sure if he would have just said to the people how he felt about slavery and why he felt that was a more than a few would have listened. I believe he could’ve changed things about slavery a lot sooner than when they had happened. Then again, since he was a very smart character he felt that being silent was a key so I can respect that, it kind of seemed almost like he picked his battles and that was a very good strategy. Later on down the road of life, Washington tried freeing the slaves by selling his property and selling/renting the Mount Vernon Farms. This resulted in failure, but he wasn’t discouraged. His last and final idea was tried on July 9, 1799. He wrote in his final will and testament that the slaves were to be freed after the death of both him and his wife. Sadly this attempt also failed miserably. It was quite sad to read about his attempts that failed but I believe Washington’s beliefs and thoughts about slavery were the start of something good in that era. Washington seemed like a generally nice guy for wanting to free slaves and also refusing to sell or trade them if it meant that it was separating husband and wife ore families. When Washington was a child he wanted to be just like his father. He also grew up in a time where slavery was an everyday normal lifestyle. About the time he had inherited his first few slaves from his father, he was eager to expand his land and thought it was important to increase the productivity of hid farms. He also thought it was important to win the election to public office. I think at that time frame Washington was a brave man for not trading his slaves; it was a bold move back then and was almost unheard of. Washington was also a silent man about his disagreements; some think he should have been more out spoken about his thoughts. To my understanding he was a man that most respected and looked up to and people would listen to him about almost anything. He wasn’t a very impulsive character and usually thought things through so I’m sure if he would have just said to the people how he felt about slavery and why he felt that was a more than a few would have listened. I believe he could’ve changed things about slavery a lot sooner than when they had happened. Then again, since he was a very smart character he felt that being silent was a key so I can respect that, it kind of seemed almost like he picked his battles and that was a very good strategy. Later on down the road of life, Washington tried freeing the slaves by selling his property and selling/renting the Mount Vernon Farms. This resulted in failure, but he wasn’t discouraged. His last and final idea was tried on July 9, 1799. He wrote in his final will and testament that the slaves were to be freed after the death of both him and his wife. Sadly this attempt also failed miserably. It was quite sad to read about his attempts that failed but I believe Washington’s beliefs and thoughts about slavery were the start of something good in that era.

]]> http://www.historynet.com/george-washington-his-troubles-with-slavery.htm#comment-779948 Georgia Crow Mon, 24 Oct 2011 05:03:08 +0000 #comment-779948 George Washington often struggled with a internal battle on the issue of slavery and how he personally owned more than 100 enslaved african americans. Washington wanted to send a message to his fellow peers, he wanted to free his 123 enslaved african africans. Washingto dide not want to seperate the families amoung his slaves. So he honored their marital status. Trying to find a way to free them he finally agreed that all of Washington's slaves would be free pending the death of he and his wife. When he decided not to run again for his third time, he mentioed several issues all except slaver. People took this act of silence as it had been laid to rest. It had been everything but that, Washington often struggled with this issue, having growing up where owning a slave was just a part of everyday life. He got his first ten slaves when he was 11 years old and continued to gain more and more slavs over the course of twenty years. His views continue to change going where he supported slavery whole heartedly to where he did not want to own a single slave. Washington came to this conclusion upon discovering the dirty game of the slave trade industry where slaves were often treated as catle. He refused to buy anymore slave or purchase them hoping that Legislature would start abolishing slavery a little at a time. As bad as he wanted rid of slavery te slave trade was a big need for the tobacco industry. Tobacco was difficult and required more slaves and intense labor. So Washington sought out an easier option, wheat. This wheat product was making more money and did not require as many slaves, nor was the work as hard. Washington was learning to master the newly found grain cooperation. He wanted Mount Vernon to be self efficient with out the use of slaves. So by changing his estate from tobacco to wheat. He did not need half the slaves he owned. While slaves did not have to work hardly at all, it was costing himself more money to support all the slaves, than it was bringing him in any profit from his estate, but Washington still could not sell, loan, or borrow his slaves for fear of harshers treatments. George Washington often struggled with a internal battle on the issue of slavery and how he personally owned more than 100 enslaved african americans. Washington wanted to send a message to his fellow peers, he wanted to free his 123 enslaved african africans.
Washingto dide not want to seperate the families amoung his slaves. So he honored their marital status. Trying to find a way to free them he finally agreed that all of Washington's slaves would be free pending the death of he and his wife.
When he decided not to run again for his third time, he mentioed several issues all except slaver. People took this act of silence as it had been laid to rest. It had been everything but that, Washington often struggled with this issue, having growing up where owning a slave was just a part of everyday life. He got his first ten slaves when he was 11 years old and continued to gain more and more slavs over the course of twenty years. His views continue to change going where he supported slavery whole heartedly to where he did not want to own a single slave.
Washington came to this conclusion upon discovering the dirty game of the slave trade industry where slaves were often treated as catle. He refused to buy anymore slave or purchase them hoping that Legislature would start abolishing slavery a little at a time.
As bad as he wanted rid of slavery te slave trade was a big need for the tobacco industry. Tobacco was difficult and required more slaves and intense labor. So Washington sought out an easier option, wheat. This wheat product was making more money and did not require as many slaves, nor was the work as hard.
Washington was learning to master the newly found grain cooperation. He wanted Mount Vernon to be self efficient with out the use of slaves. So by changing his estate from tobacco to wheat. He did not need half the slaves he owned. While slaves did not have to work hardly at all, it was costing himself more money to support all the slaves, than it was bringing him in any profit from his estate, but Washington still could not sell, loan, or borrow his slaves for fear of harshers treatments.

]]> http://www.historynet.com/george-washington-his-troubles-with-slavery.htm#comment-779942 Morgan Austin Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:48:29 +0000 #comment-779942 George Washington was a very honorable man. He grew up in the household that owned slaves so he was very aware of slavery. Looking up to his father, like many young boys do, he seen nothing wrong with the situation. Growing up, he worried about things such as: education, farming, running for office, and becoming wealthy. Though the older he got, what was once important to him changed. Washington started realizing the impact slavery had upon our country. After many years, this lead him against that. Therefore, He began to spread his message against slavery. Since he was such a persuadable man, many listened and some even agreed to his message. He proclaimed that selling slaves was wrong. He worked to free many slaves, including some of his own within his family. He went through many hardships and most of his request were unsuccessful. In the end, although Washington couldn't free all of the slaves, I believe he mad an outstanding impact for the generations to come. George Washington was a very honorable man. He grew up in the household that owned slaves so he was very aware of slavery. Looking up to his father, like many young boys do, he seen nothing wrong with the situation. Growing up, he worried about things such as: education, farming, running for office, and becoming wealthy. Though the older he got, what was once important to him changed. Washington started realizing the impact slavery had upon our country. After many years, this lead him against that. Therefore, He began to spread his message against slavery. Since he was such a persuadable man, many listened and some even agreed to his message. He proclaimed that selling slaves was wrong. He worked to free many slaves, including some of his own within his family. He went through many hardships and most of his request were unsuccessful. In the end, although Washington couldn't free all of the slaves, I believe he mad an outstanding impact for the generations to come.

]]> http://www.historynet.com/george-washington-his-troubles-with-slavery.htm#comment-779833 Bailey Shaddix Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:48:29 +0000 #comment-779833 Washington from the start, was an honorable man. People wanted to listen to him, therefore, when it came to the one, main, unmistakable message he planned to send to his countrymen regarding slavery, it made an affect. Growing up and having family members that owned slaves, he had a first-hand view on the subject. Like many others during that particular time period, he saw nothing wrong with it. Much like his father, during his youth, Washington was concerned more in the productivity of his farms and becoming elected into office. He attained several slaves throughout his life, through his father and his successful marriage. Due to this fact, Washington's attitude toward slavery changed over the years. He expressed his feelings, of that selling slaves was wrong along with hiring them out, it was just as bad. Eventually, he announced that "free Negroes" were allowed to fight in the Continental forces. There were some disagreements afterwards and along the way. Many slaves were never freed, but Washington did spare the following generations of injustice and suffering thankfully. Washington from the start, was an honorable man. People wanted to listen to him, therefore, when it came to the one, main, unmistakable message he planned to send to his countrymen regarding slavery, it made an affect. Growing up and having family members that owned slaves, he had a first-hand view on the subject. Like many others during that particular time period, he saw nothing wrong with it. Much like his father, during his youth, Washington was concerned more in the productivity of his farms and becoming elected into office. He attained several slaves throughout his life, through his father and his successful marriage. Due to this fact, Washington's attitude toward slavery changed over the years. He expressed his feelings, of that selling slaves was wrong along with hiring them out, it was just as bad. Eventually, he announced that "free Negroes" were allowed to fight in the Continental forces. There were some disagreements afterwards and along the way. Many slaves were never freed, but Washington did spare the following generations of injustice and suffering thankfully.

]]> http://www.historynet.com/george-washington-his-troubles-with-slavery.htm#comment-779461 Mackenzie Varnell Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:49:53 +0000 #comment-779461 As a child, Washington wanted to succeed in his father's foot steps like most people would want to do. He grew up around slavery because everyone in his family owned slaves, so he did not see anything wrong with it. When he aquired some of his father's slaves he wanted to expand the land, improve productivity, and win the election. He was headed in the right direction to accomplish all of that. Over the years, I think Washington looked at owning slaves and trading them as a bad habit. It seemed like he thought it could control a person. He did not like it at all and refusing to trade his slaves was a bold move. Washington could have been more outspoken on why this issue was so important to him. Instead, he kept silent. I think he could have modivated people by speaking about it. He eventually tried to free his slaves by selling his land and selling or renting the Mount Vernon farm. This was not successful, so his final attempt was to put it in his last will and testament to free them after his and his wife's death. It was worth a try but once again not successful. He should have explained his reasoning for wanting his slaves freed to the public instead of hoping they would do the same as him. He did try though, so he has my respect for that. As a child, Washington wanted to succeed in his father's foot steps like most people would want to do. He grew up around slavery because everyone in his family owned slaves, so he did not see anything wrong with it. When he aquired some of his father's slaves he wanted to expand the land, improve productivity, and win the election. He was headed in the right direction to accomplish all of that. Over the years, I think Washington looked at owning slaves and trading them as a bad habit. It seemed like he thought it could control a person. He did not like it at all and refusing to trade his slaves was a bold move. Washington could have been more outspoken on why this issue was so important to him. Instead, he kept silent. I think he could have modivated people by speaking about it. He eventually tried to free his slaves by selling his land and selling or renting the Mount Vernon farm. This was not successful, so his final attempt was to put it in his last will and testament to free them after his and his wife's death. It was worth a try but once again not successful. He should have explained his reasoning for wanting his slaves freed to the public instead of hoping they would do the same as him. He did try though, so he has my respect for that.

]]> http://www.historynet.com/george-washington-his-troubles-with-slavery.htm#comment-779387 UNA HI201 Discussion Board #2 Due Oct. 24 « Mr. Rickman's blog Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:57:07 +0000 #comment-779387 [...] http://www.historynet.com/george-washington-his-troubles-with-slavery.htm/1 [...] [...] http://www.historynet.com/george-washington-his-troubles-with-slavery.htm/1 [...]

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