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A Forgotten History: The Slave Trade and Slavery in New England
$20 Teacher Set (one reproducible text, one teacher's guide)
$16 Downloadable Teacher Set
Click here for a description of formats available, including Classroom Sets and interactive E-texts.
First edition.
Overview of the Unit
A Forgotten History: The Slave Trade and Slavery in New England explores the nature of the triangular trade and the extent of slavery in New England. It discusses the effects of the trade in slaves and of slavery itself for the new Americans of the time and helps students to understand how history, and the telling of history, affects us today.
Slavery in the United States is often thought of as a Southern problem. Indeed, many students, and even teachers, are unaware of the extent of slavery in the North, particularly in New England. Long thought of as the birthplace of abolitionism, New England has a more complex history of slavery and the trade in slaves than many realize.
See Choices Program Conducts Nationwide Outreach for a news story about outreach on this topic.
Readings
Background readings examine the slave trade and Rhode Island's significant role in it and the institution of slavery in New England.
Framework of Policy Options
The options at the center of this unit explore in detail a 1783 Rhode Island Assembly debate. In the winter of that year the assembly discussed whether and how to emancipate the slaves in the new state of Rhode Island. Citizens, even prominent families, were divided on the issue. Quakers, slave traders, rum manufacturers, free and enslaved blacks all participated in the discussion at one level or another. The role play includes several real characters from the time to enrich the discussion.
Suggested Five-Day Lesson Plan
The Teacher Resource Book accompanying A Forgotten History: The Slave Trade and Slavery in New England contains a day-by-day lesson plan and student activities.
- Day One: Understanding Colonial Commerce. Students create a living history museum focused on the triangle trade.
- Day Two: The Experience of New England Slaves. Students explore primary sources such as slave narratives, runaway ads, and statistics.
- Day Three: 1783 Rhode Island Assembly Debate. Organization and Preparation
- Day Four: 1783 Rhode Island Assembly Debate: Presentation and Discussion
- Day Five: Exploring Connections to the Present