“Conceived in Liberty, Born in Shackles”— How We Talk About and Teach Slavery in American History

NCSS - “Conceived in Liberty, Born in Shackles”— How We Talk About and Teach Slavery in American History

May 28, 2020 - 3:00pm EDT

Myths and misconceptions about the role of slavery in U.S. History abound. Davis will highlight the fact that the enslavement of millions of people was not a sideshow in the founding of our country. It was a central drama. Slavery was not an institution confined to a few states in one section of the country. It was practiced in every one of the original thirteen states and it was a crucial engine that made fortunes and powered the American economy in the early 19th century.

Davis, who is the author of IN THE SHADOW OF LIBERTY and DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT® THE CIVIL WAR, will draw on points made in his article in March/April 2020 Social Education, as well as in his books. He will propose and elaborate on the following five points as the beginning of a new framework for teaching slavery:

• Enslaved people were in America before the Mayflower Pilgrims
• Thomas Jefferson condemned slavery in drafting the Declaration of Independence but other Founders scrubbed the language from the nation’s “birth certificate”      
• Slavery was “baked in” to the U.S. Constitution
• Slavery made the Civil War inevitable
• The abolition of slavery after the Civil War did not end the stark divisions that plague the United States

Davis says that “The webinar is not a lecture but a conversation that is specifically designed to produce ideas and strategies that can be implemented in the classroom and beyond.” He asks participating teachers to bring their questions, concerns, and ideas as the webinar focuses on practical and actionable responses to teaching what has been called “the hard history of slavery.”  

Davis will provide links to resources, recent articles, and books on this vital subject. The webinar will be moderated by NCSS President, Tina L. Heafner.

Registration is free for NCSS members.  Not a member yet? Use the registration button to sign up now and receive open-access to the live webinar and recording.

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