The Point Pines Plantation had become a valuable source for Sea Island Cotton By 1850; Sea Island cotton was grown in the coastal areas in the states of South Carolina and Georgia. In the 19th century, southern economy this growth had resulted in the demand of slave labor plantations to increase. By 1850, the south became the Cotton kingdom and cotton had become a valuable crop. Unlike other crops like sugar and tobacco, cotton was a simple, therefore slaves could produce a substantial amount. The Point Pines Slave Cabin is a historical reminder and reason for American economy flourishing, while becoming a main source of cotton in the nation and around world. With the southern states booming with financial success, the northern states used cotton growth to their industrial advantage. The population of enslaved African Americans was at its highest. During this time anti-slavery activist known as the abolitionist fought for slavery to be abolished. With The Westward Expansion debate of the new states becoming free, slave states developed conflict between southern slave holders and anti-slavery northerners.
In Cotton Kingdom, the demand for slaves in “the Deep South” to work on cotton plantations had increased. This increase in the demand was the result of the cotton belt; therefore many slaves were sold to work on cotton plantations. Point Pines Plantation where Charles Bailey was the slave owner. A slave named Hannah Chapman fell victim to this issue, when her father was sold away to work on a plantation in the Deep South. Despite the separation of families due to the increased demand for slaves, enslaved African Americans on Edisto Island developed strong roots of love and togetherness. In the Cabin, they found ways to come together, care for one another’s children and support each other. However the success of cotton plantations encouraged the south to move their slave economy westward. As news of slavery moving west ward started, abolitionist were against the practice of slavery, therefore supporters of Free states within the expansion of America. By mid- 19th century tension between north and south regarding slavery, developed into a civil war in 1861. At the end of the war in 1865, the south had lost the fight. The work towards freedom, started with the Emancipation Proclamation, which was signed by President Abraham Lincoln two years before the end of the war. This Proclamation granted enslaved African Americans their freedom, however this did not apply to all enslaved African Americans. The Emancipation Proclamation only applied to southern states that did not break away from the North, South Carolina was the first state to secede from the union, leaving the enslaved African Americans in Edisto Island to remain in slavery. A new era had begun after the war, reconstruction of the whole nation was on its way. In 1865 slavery had been abolished throughout the nation. Many African Americans in the south were given land to start their own crops, this was considered share cropping. While many stayed to work on their formal masters plantations for wages to soon buy their own land. In the Point Pines plantation, former slaves were given the land from their master Charles Bailey. For many years, African Americans have lived in the cabin from generation to generation. The cabin had been a place that symbolized oppression/ inhuman ownership and bondage, however now it is a place where they can raise their child as free people.
The importance of bringing the Point Pines slave cabin to the national museum of African American History and Culture was to share a period in were slavery was crucial to the American society. This three-dimensional object would attract the eyes of many people, as it represented African Americans contribution as the back bones to the financial stability of America. It’s important to state that the cabin was not behind glass windows like many of the other objects. It’s believed it was shown outside in the open, to send a message that African American history is therefore American History. Also the exhibits before it were dark, and dim lights gave a sense of sadness leading to the slave cabin. The cabin was small when observing, the southern weather would have been stifling making it difficult for a human being to live in. The cabin had only one window, oxidized parts of it had fallen apart and considering that it was handmade. Surrounding the cabin was a cotton gin, which related back to the historical context of the cabin, as it once helped support the south’s cotton kingdom. Enslaved Africans Americans led the success of the south, although it is unfair it is true. The cabin symbolizes the working progress to freedom and equal rights of African Americans, as their contributions have been forgotten in history.
Bibliography
“Edisto Museum.” Edisto Museum RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2017.
“The Edisto Island Slave Cabin, Communities, and Collecting.” National Museum of African American History and Culture. N.p., 03 Oct. 2016. Web. 17 May 2017.
