Cyndi

=About Me: =

**__Name:__ ** William Tecumseh Sherman
==__**Birth date: **__ February 8th, 1820 ==

__**Gender: **__ Male
==__**Occupation: **__ I am an American solider, businessman, educator, and author. I served as a general in the Union Army during the Civil War. ==

· Courage – a perfect sensibility of the measure of danger, and a mental willingness to endure it.
==· Every attempt to make war easy and safe will result in humiliation and disaster. **Important Facts:** One thing that is important to me would be the middle name my father gave me. He was fascinated by the chief of the Shawnees named Tecumseh, so he gave me it. I cherish my middle name because it was something my father was interested in and although he died while I was a young child, he was still an important figure in my life. ==

=Photo Album: =











=Status Updates: =

**1859:** Recently, I’ve heard about the events and procedures that John Brown’s plan. He wants to free slaves, but for that to occur comes a lot of work and dedication. He and his men hoped to establish a base in the Blue Ridge Mountain, and from there they would assist runaway slaves as well as launch attacks on the slave owners. This idea seems very clever but extremely strenuous. In the end, he did not quite succeed but it was truly worth the try. In order to help free slaves, one would have to have more men to fight in the battle. **1857:** George Fitzhugh has presented a speech about his beliefs on slavery. Although he and I have different outlooks on it, he is trying to portray that African-Americans are like children and need to be educated as well as protect. He thinks that slavery is a good way for these things to be accomplished. In my eyes, I totally disagree with him because slavery is just used to gain economic as well as getting the domestic chores completed. All in all, everyone has a different opinion on slavery and only the federal government can make the decisions in the end.


 * 1857:** The Panic of 1857 has just begun. I am severely struggling with keeping my family supported, and I hope to see a change in this society soon. Due to the failure of the New York branch of the Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Co., we have to suffer from: massive layoffs, railroad failure, land speculation collapsing, and grain prices spread economic distress. This affects a lot of people in different ways; hopefully it can all come to an end and go back to normal or maybe even better. The South wasn’t hurt as bad as the other regions, but the Southerners believed that their economic system had been liberated.

**1855:** I just heard about the Pottawatomie Massacre, and I fully agree with what John Brown and his troops are doing. He is protecting black people and standing up for what he believes in. The anti-slavery group was fighting for the control of Kansas, and how it should become a free state. All this blood and war for territory purposes makes me happy and proud. Although people are dying, they are making their opinion known and trying to achieve their goal.

**1854:** In the newspaper, I was told that Steven Douglas gave the people the opportunity to make slavery expand, but they had to vote on it. Steven Douglas was an American politician who is mostly noted for his debates with Abraham Lincoln. When the citizens from Missouri went to vote in Kansas, the ones that were for slavery won, and Kansas was voted to be a slave state. This makes me very upset, but I hope the anti-slavery individuals step up and take control of this situation to their best ability.

**1853:** Lately, the government has been talking about the boundaries between the United States and Mexico. They have tried to negotiate and resolve their problems, but it led to war called the Mexican War, and then to the Gadsden Purchase. I find this war to be a minor issue because there are a lot of more important things happening that need to be resolved such as the struggles that African Americans are facing.

**1852:** Recently in the newspaper, I read that Frederick Douglas made an argument about “the Fourth of July”. He feels as though it is not right to celebrate this day, since so many aren’t free. It hurts me to hear these things, but I can’t control the things allowed and not allowed.

**1851:** I’ve heard that Sojourner Truth made a speech called, “Ain’t I A Women?” and was discussed at the Women’s Right Convention in Akron, Ohio. It’s about the way African-American women are treated when in the end they are similar to everyone. In my opinion, people should be judged by their personality, and not their appearance. I am delighted to hear that she made this speech on behalf of the way she feels, and I hope to hear that the slave owners’ realize what harm and pain they had on slaves.

**1850:** Hearing about the response to the Fugitive Slave Act, I personally agree with what the Bostonians were explaining. They have a complete and valid point, and they are trying to help the black fugitives from legal kidnapping. They have several communities that support anti-slavery and one of them is, “The Boston Vigilance Committee”. I hope they win the struggle to protect the blacks, but I know it will take a lot of work and dedication. Overall, whenever you want a dream to come true, your drive yourself to your fullest potential and that is what I hope to seem happen.

**1850:** When the sun rose on September 14th, I was extremely pissed at the purpose of the Fugitive Slave Act. Although it was prohibiting the slave trade, they were making the slaves return if they ran away. Since I am not an abolitionist, I can’t quite express my feelings as much, but I do disagree with some portions of the Act.

**1850:** This morning I heard that “the Compromise of 1850” was designed to placate both the North and South because the final decisions were that: California is a free state, Utah and New Mexico Territories can have slavery under the basis of the popular sovereignty, and slave trade was abolished in the colony of Washington D.C. I feel as though these decisions were proper and pleasant since most people got a portion of what they want.

=Notes: =

**__Note #1__****__:__ Repulsive Act of Slavery**
As a disapprover of slavery, I do not under any circumstances believe that the inhuman physical work of slavery should exist. Despite the fact that I myself oversee death in many ways, there is no such reason for the institution of slavery. Between the beating, bruising, and killing, I can no longer imagine why it existed. You are literally killing an individual who has as much emotion and feelings as we do ourselves. In my opinion, slavery is the form of being controlled, commanded, and lack of freedom. We citizens’ have no say in how people live their life, but we do have a voice that should be heard and spoken for the sake of ourselves, and our posterity.

In December of 1662, the Virginia Slave Law was made and if the woman had offspring they would become the property of her master under no circumstances. For example, in the Virginia Slave Law I proclaims, “some doubts have arisen whether children got by any Englishman upon a Negro woman should be slave or free, be it therefore enacted and declared … that all children born in this country shall be held bond or free only according to the condition of the mother”. This signifies that if the child was born from a slave mother, he/she is pronounced to be a slave as well. On the other hand, if any Christian were to have sexual intercourse with a black woman they would pay the consequences. During this society, it shows me that most African-American women are treated with no respect, admiration, or concern but is only treated for the domestic living of the master.

Cotton agriculture stimulated the profitability of slavery and the political power of supporters from the South. By the 1820s, the dominant issues in American politics were driven by "King Cotton": maintaining the political balance between slave and free states and tariff protection for American industry. Overtime, the cotton gin became popular and was in high demand that less labor helped maintain the weakening battles for slavery, since inexpensive labor was needed to pick cotton. Over time, the Cotton gin was in need of intensive farming and brought unemployment to many poor Southerners.

To conclude my judgment of slavery, I anticipate that there should be no form, act, or physical view of slavery. Although I am not an abolitionist myself, I highly agree on eliminating this structure and finding better ways to collaborate with domestic features within a household and complete those tasks. Finally, we can all make a difference if your voice is heard and your opinion is shared, so why not hold it in. Make a difference for the future! 

**__Note #2:__ Influential Miracles**
I’ve witnessed several miracles, but more consequences that led to death. I made friends, but way more enemies that stopped me in my tracks. There were two African American individuals that changed my perspective on things and influenced me to do more then just think, but tell. Their names were Oscar and Penny. They shared so much love for each other and they would be incomplete if they weren’t together. Their relationship is indescribable, but here’s what made me realize how important and amazing they truly were.

On the plantation of Virginia was an obese, white, torturing, and self-centered man named George with his family. Throughout George’s life, he wanted everything he needed handed to him so he would not have to put work, dedication, and effort into things. He traded items for two black slaves. This was when everything changed. He started demanding difficult orders that only a super-natural human being could do. If his needs were not satisfied he would brutally beat them until blood and desperation were shown. At a certain point, Penny almost died from loss of blood and Oscar was there by her side to make sure she was taking care of. This meant that he must watch and be careful of the things he did because an unpleasant owner leads to a resistant obstacle. He was so head over heels for this woman that they became something inseparable. Day and night they were always together, and finally one day they both ventured beyond a certain point and escaped to what they thought was freedom. They traveled through the underground railroad with another inspiration figure named Harriet Tubman. She led Penny and Oscar to Philadelphia, which was a free state, and although along they way they had to suffer in small places they eventually made it. I know that Oscar and Penny are people that are knowledgeable with what they do, and I commend them on their efforts to freedom. There are true significant people and I am blessed to hear such an amazing story like theirs.

I've heard this story from the newspaper, and realize that those types of citizens make me understand the true meaning of why I am against slavery. They make me express my feelings toward different things, and show that as bad as I have it, someone in the world or country has it worse. You just have to be grateful for what is yours and how you achieve certain things, but never take them for granted. All in all, I find this story influential due to the fact of love and overcoming obstacles you would never imagine you could. Clearly, Oscar and Penny had a relationship that could not be broken down into many pieces that could only be sealed up from absence, but a strong and dedicate one that could conquer anything within their way.

**__Note #3__****__:__ Resistance Among Slaves**
Recently, my eyes and emotions have bled with the sight of disrespect, humiliation, and repugnance. There were a couple of incidents that literally made me fume with anger and aggression. My opinions don’t quite matter in most of the occasions, due to the fact that many higher leaders contribute more action and have a bigger say. Additionally, these things may not be possible but I will do whatever it takes in my will power to make it happen. If you were to disobey your owner in any way, type, or form, there would be repercussions against you. I have spoken to several people and read different articles where it exclaims that individuals made a difference from standing up and speaking for what they believe in.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The most common form of resistance was “day-to-day”. This form consisted of breaking appliances, faking injury or affliction, or sometimes even committing acts of incendiaries and destruction. These are all examples of how enslaved African Americans disregarded their masters order or instruction.

Running away was another fairly common form of resistance. Although most of the time slaves only got to a certain distance before being caught, but they wanted to escape their surroundings and attack freedom. Fugitive slaves experimented on building runaway cliques that was located in different areas such as: swamps, mountains, or regions.

I spoke with a woman that resisted her master and suffered a severe amount of repercussions. Her name was Dana Williams and her owner was sexually harassing her. Most of the time she was gullible and was not able to speak her mind until things got out of line this dark night. She couldn’t handle all the emotions of stress, disbelief, and physical trappings roaming throughout her mind and so she resisted him. He beat her to the walking of her road to death. She cried her herself to sleep on most occasions, until she was relieved and ran away from this monstrous figure. She was encouraged to try her and best and overall found herself a new owner, one that was actually occasionally helpful and pleasant. Clearly, although Dana struggled with many goals and achievements that needed to be encountered, but she faced her fear of confidence and it obviously led her into a superior direction in life.

Finally, slaves also resisted their physical enslavement through religion. For example, many slaves turned to religion for inspiration and support. Most slaves refused the Christianity of their masters, which justified slavery. The slaves held private discussions, where they talked of the New Testament and the promises of the day through justice and a better life after death. The religion of enslaved African Americans helped them endure and resist the humiliation of servitude. In my opinion, I don’t sincerely find the need of resisting to religion because it doesn’t play a huge role in society. Sometimes, Dana and some of her friends and family would sing spiritual songs to remove the stress that they are faced with. They would all be together in a room, and express their feelings and emotions through songs. This made them feel like a different person and they could actually say things without being harmed or injured. On the other hand, domestic resistance is something that is important to the sentiment of slaves, as well as the environment of the masters. Without the collaboration of effort that slaves portrayed, crops would not be grown and it would cause a massive destruction. Finally, if you give respect you will get respect in the long run, and by doing that it makes a better life for each and every person.

=<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Bibliography: =

· <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; letter-spacing: .85pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Bleeding Kansas." //PBS//. Africans in American, n.d. Web. 25 Mar 2010. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2952.html>. · <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; letter-spacing: .85pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Compromise of 1850." //PBS//. Africans in American, n.d. Web. 25 Mar 2010. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2951.html>. · <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; letter-spacing: .85pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Conditions of Antebellum Slavery." //PBS//. Africans in American, n.d. Web. 25 Mar 2010. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2956.html>. · <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; letter-spacing: .85pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"The Gadsden Purchase." //Old Mesilla//. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar 2010. <http://www.oldmesilla.org/html/gadsden_purchase.html> · <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; letter-spacing: .85pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"George Fitzhugh advocates slavery." //PBS//. Africans in American, n.d. Web. 25 Mar 2010. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4h3141t.html>. · "Kansas-Nebraska Act." // Think Quest //. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar 2010. <http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112391/kansas-nebraska_act.htm> · Kelly, Martin. "Fugitive Slave Act 1850." // American History //. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar 2010. <http://americanhistory.about.com/od/beforethewar/a/fugitiveslave.htm>. · <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; letter-spacing: .85pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Panic of 1857." //US History//. Online Highways LLC, 2001-2010. Web. 25 Mar 2010. <http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h159.html>. · <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; letter-spacing: .85pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Slave Power." //The Citizens' Compendium//. Creative Commons Attribution Share, 23 June 2008. Web. 25 Mar 2010. <http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Slave_Power>. · <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; letter-spacing: .85pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"William Tecumseh Sherman." //N Georgia//. Golden Ink, 1994-2010. Web. 25 Mar 2010. <http://ngeorgia.com/ang/William_Tecumseh_Sherman>.


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