EOTO Reflection

Amistad Uprising (1839):

Fifty-three Africans who had been illegally kidnapped revolted aboard the Amistad. Their successful court case highlighted the cruelty of slavery and inspired abolitionists.

Anti-Slavery Society (1833):

The American Anti-Slavery Society fought for the immediate end of slavery and helped grow the abolitionist movement across the country.

Fugitive Slave Act (1850):

This law required escaped enslaved people to be returned to their enslavers, even in free states. It angered many Northerners and increased opposition to slavery.

Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852):

Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel exposed the realities of slavery and persuaded many Americans to support abolition.

Bleeding Kansas (1854-1861):

Pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers fought violently over whether Kansas would allow slavery, showing how divided the nation had become.

John Brown:

Raised in an anti-slavery family, John Brown believed slavery was morally wrong. He used violence against pro-slavery supporters and later led the raid on Harpers Ferry to encourage a slave uprising.

Secession Movement and the Civil War:

After Abraham Lincoln was elected in 1860, Southern states seceded from the Union because they feared slavery would be restricted. Their departure led directly to the Civil War.

Fort Sumter (1861):

The Civil War began when Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter in South Carolina. The attack marked the start of four years of war.

Tuskegee Institute (1881):

Founded by Booker T. Washington, the Tuskegee Institute provided education and job training for African Americans after slavery ended.

AI DISCLOSURE: AI was used to form this blog post from notes I took, but also filled in on the subjects that I may have missed during the presentations.

Supreme Court Video Reflection

The supreme Court is the highest Judicial Court in the United States.

Watching the Supreme Court videos helped me understand how huge the Supreme Court’s role is in the U.S. government. The video starts by showing how cases reach the Court. Every year thousands of petitions come in, and the nine justices have to decide which ones matter enough to hear. It’s kind of wild that they do all this behind closed doors, and that their power really depends on people trusting them to be fair.

The video also talks about how the Court wasn’t always respected. When John Marshall became Chief Justice in the early 1800s, he basically shaped the Court into what it is today. He pushed the idea of judicial review, which means the Court can strike down laws that violate the Constitution. That decision in Marbury v. Madison set the tone for everything that came after.

But the Court has made mistakes too. The Dred Scott case was a huge one. The justices ruled that Congress couldn’t ban slavery and that Black America
ns couldn’t be citizens. The video calls it a “self‑inflicted wound,” and honestly, it makes sense. It took the Civil War and the 14th Amendment to fix the damage and redefine citizenship and equal protection.

Another part I found interesting was how the justices talk about interpreting the Constitution. Some think it should stay exactly how it was originally meant, and others think it should evolve with society. Even though they disagree, they all say they’re trying to do what’s best for the country.

The video ends by showing how the Court chooses cases and how the justices work together. They meet every week, shake hands before every conference, and each one gets a chance to speak once before anyone speaks twice. It’s a tradition meant to keep things respectful, even when they disagree.

Overall, the video made the Supreme Court feel less mysterious. It’s still super powerful, but it’s also made up of real people trying to solve problems that affect everyone.

AI Disclosure: AI was used in this blog post to reform notes into the post.

Bible Team Challenge

Bible Team Challenge

Intro:

Throughout history, slavery has been a major debate. Although it is mostly seen as a political and economic argument, religion and Christian beliefs actually had a large role in the dispute providing evidence for both the pro and anti-slavery dispute.

Anti-Slavery:

Christian Abolitionist Movement

Religion and Christian beliefs had a large role in the pushing back against slavery. Christianity and the Bible were often used as resources to back the claim that slavery is unfair and unjust. In fact, Christian abolitionists originally started the abolitionist movement against slavery.

Some ideas were simple and obvious, while other arguments required deeper research and

understanding.

Religious Arguments Against Slavery

One religious argument often used by Christian abolitionists was clearly stated in the bible Exodus 21:16 states, "Whoever kidnaps someone, either to sell him or keep him as a slave, is to be put to death." This statement is undeniably a claim against slavery and provides a very straight forward argument.

Other major Christian beliefs backed up the anti-slavery argument even if they weren't as direct. One major Chrisitan belief is that we all have one master, no one is the master of another on earth because we all look up to the same master in heaven.

Colossians 4:1 states, "masters, grant to your slave's justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven." This also aligns with the commandment that we cannot have any other idols or Gods before him

Another main idea is that we are all brothers. God is out father, and we are all made from his image equally.

This has always been a major part of Christianity, and is clearly proven here in Galatians 3:28, "So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus." All for these ideas, beliefs, and quotes provided the Christian Abolitionists with a strong argument against slavery.

Pro Slavery:

Historically, slavery in Ancient Isreal was a way to survive economically where there were set laws to protect the slaves and ensure they were being treated fairly opposed to the violent version we know of today. Biblical Chronology

Exodus 21:2-3 explains that "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything." This provides the information that if someone were to buy another human who is willingly selling themselves, they must keep them as servants for 6 years and let them regain freedom on the 7th.

Leviticus 25:39-43 "If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and sell themselves to you, do not make them work as slaves, they are to be treated as hired workers or temporary residents among you." further informs you of the boundaries that were set when it came to how these servants should be treated.

Deuteronomy 15:12-15 "And when you release them, do not send them away empty-handed. Supply them liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress." This verse is the most impacting to the readers. This passage explains that the slave owners are to gift their slaves when they are let free as a token of gratitude for their service.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Christianity was used to support both sides of the slavery debate. Abolitionists pointed to biblical teachings about equality and justice, while on the other hand, passages that regulated servitude in ancient Isreal were used. These different interpretations show how religion influenced opinions on slavery throughout history.