Please proofread. Chapter 11, Question 4: Why were anti-literacy…

Question Answered step-by-step Please proofread. Chapter 11, Question 4: Why were anti-literacy… Please proofread. Chapter 11, Question 4: Why were anti-literacy laws passed in the South?            In the history of the southern united states the “antebellum period” which was a period that spanned the end of the war of 1812 to the start of the American civil war in 1861, was characterized by the of slavery and the culture it fostered (Coleman, 2020). Therefore, as the era proceeded southern leaders and intellectuals shifted from defending slavery as an embarrassing and temporary system to a full-on defense of slavery as a positive good (Coleman, 2020).               Furthermore, during the antebellum period anti-literacy laws were a major strategy used by southern plantation owner to dehumanize and control the enslaved black population. In other words, anti-literacy laws were a natural extension of the slave code system preventing the enslaved black population from learning how to read in any form (Coleman, 2020).            The formerly non-threatened whites became fearful of uprising by educated enslaved blacks (Smith, 2020). This fear was as a result of a 1831 Virginia slave rebellion led by a slave named Nat Turner, who wanted to free those in slavery (Coleman, 2020). Nat Turner was a literate; therefore, he as able read the bible and found that the bible supported the fight against wrongdoing. Furthermore, Nat Turner rebellion combined with the abolition of slavery, which was happening in the Northern States, the publication of abolitionists, and the tightening control of slaves resulted in the enactment of anti-literacy law which as viewed as necessary for that time period (Coleman, 2020). In addition, the enactment of anti-literacy laws in the Southern States was also based on the belief that if slaves were given the opportunity to become literate then slavery would lack justification; thereby undermining the system of slavery. It is important to note that anti-literacy laws varied from state to state; however, they were enacted to limit the ability of both freed and enslave blacks to learn to read and write (Coleman 2020). Therefore, anti-literacy laws were enacted in the South in response to the concern of slave owners that if slaves became literate, they could create the necessary documents to escape to other states where they could be free with those already freed encouraging other slaves to escape to become free. On the other hand, there were slave owners that did not fully support the anti-literacy laws because they believed that the literacy of their slaves was important to the effective functioning of their plantation. Therefore, some slaves learned read and write to fulfill their role as determined by the slave masters. Towards the final phase of the antebellum period, literary societies served to advocate for strategizing and development propaganda for the abolishment of Southern slavery (Coleman, 2020). In addition, the Quakers and the American Anti-Slavery Society become influential politically and financially towards those efforts of the abolishment of Sothern slavery. Furthermore, the historical support of organizations such as the Quakers and the American Anti-Slavery Society contributed to the process that produced African American writers such as the works of Frederick Douglas; Narrative of life of Frederick Douglas (1845) and David Walker’s racial antislavery document Walker’s appeal (1829). In conclusion, many of the slave owners were oppressive toward their slave. However, from the biblical worldview, God created us in His image and likeness, and he wants us to love one another just as he loves us and shown us love. Therefore, God gave us the commandment; “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbors as yourself, I am the lord (New International Version, 1973/2011 Leviticus 19:18).ReferencesColeman, C. (2020, June 17). How literacy become a powerful weapon in the fight to end slavery. http://www.history.com/nes/nat-turner-rebellion-literacy-slavery.New International Bible (2011). New International Bible Online. biblegateway.com/passage/?search=leviticust19%3A18&version=NIV. (Original work published 1973).Smith, S. J. (2020). Windows into the history and philosophy of education. Kendall Hunt Social Science Sociology EDU 701 Share QuestionEmailCopy link Comments (0)