To Kill a Mockingbird (and its connections to litterature and slavery in American history)
By juliemcguire
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Period: to
A Look into the Literature and Slavery in African-American History
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Bar's Fight\
Lucy Terry Prince - a slave in Deerfield, Massachusetts - writes a poem titled Bar’s Fight about the last American Indian attack on her village, which would not be published until 1855. One could write a poem about the turmoils in Maycomb, but it would be recongnized much sooner. -
Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley, a slave in the Wheatley household, becomes a locally published poet. At the young age of 14, she is praised as a prodigy by the literature community. Her novel titled Poems on Various Subjects is published in 1773. I think Jem would be in awe of a poet who was published for the first time when she was not too many years older than him. -
Slavery Abolished
Slavery is abolished in the united states. However, slavery continued illegally for the next fifty years. Although slavery in American history would not have been considered an appropriate topic for children, if Scout had been taught more, I believe she would have been bewildered. -
Nat Turner's Slave Uprising
After the trial, Tom Robinson riskes his life and attempts to escape prison. In doing so, he loses his life. In 1831, Nat Turner, an enslaved black preacher, and a band of followers lead the most significant slave uprising in American history. The military stop the rebellion after two days, and Nat Turner is eventually hanged. -
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman escapes her enslavement and flees for Canada. She later because the official conductor for the Underground Railroad, a secret train system that snuck slaves across the border. She helped hundreds escape to freedom, much like the founders of First Purchases church. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin is published. It commemorates the life of Reverend Josiah Henson, for his contribution in the Underground Railroad. The book is said to be one of the most influential pieces of the civil rights movement, much like To Kill a Mockingbird when it was published 108 years later. -
The first Black Code is passed in Mississippi
Black codes are passed in the South, restricting the rights of newly freed slaves. These laws vary from state to state, but are harshest in the South. This explains why even 70 years later, black citizens of Maycomb are treated as slaves. -
Howard University is founded
Howard University, located in Washington, is founded. The reason why this school is so important to American history is because it was the first law school for black students in the United States, something Atticus Finch most likely learned during his education towards becoming a lawyer himself. -
Amendment XV
Amendment XV is passed, giving black people the right to vote. Hiram Revels is elected to be the country’s first black senator. Women didn't get the right to vote until 1920. -
To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird is first published. It is the only novel ever published by Harper Lee. Much like Uncle Tom's Cabin, it is hailed as a influencial piece of its era, considering its "controvertial topic" at the time.
