Antebellum period in American history

Antebellum Period: Different Perspectives

Woman in a White Slaveholding Family in Virginia

My name is Matilda Baldwin originally of the Richmond Portmans that being my maiden name. I was born and raised outside of Richmond on my poppy's tobacco plantation. My husband's land is not very far away. I spend most of my summer afternoons with Mama. We sit fanning ourselves sipping mint-iced teas wondering if my baby sister will have a successful introduction into Richmond Society. Three years prior, my own debutante ball was glorious. It was where I met Robert Baldwin and many other suitors. He was clearly smitten with me from the start for the next day he asked Poppy for my hand in marriage. My father appreciates fine things in life; a good hand rolled cigar, two fingers of French Brandy and a man who knows what he wants but is not afraid of getting it. Besides Robert was terribly handsome and rich. I overheard Poppy and Robert talking men talk the other day. A family in Southampton County was gruesomely murdered by a band of slave men. Poppy worries too much because I know we treat our slaves well. They are such savage people; they need our tender hand to help them see the error of their ways. I have only seen Poppy beat one slave and only because he needed motivating in the field. There is talk of change coming and War between the States. I just can't imagine what all the fuss is over. Those damned Yankees are always trying to tell us what to do. If there's a war soon it's because of those unholy slaves wanting too much.

Section B: Male Cherokee Indian in the Oklahoma Territory After the Trail of Tears

A year ago my family was forced to leave the only home we have ever known in Georgia. It is the land of my people, of mother and father and those before them. There we had a nice home and I went to school with my sisters. My father taught me how to hunt and provide for my mother and sisters. I really loved my land. I always thought I would die there. We Cherokee are a simple and peaceful nation. We have adopted some of the European ways over the years as they have only taken our land and killed our people. We have been recognized as separate from America yet they forced us to walk a trail of hardship to a place we have never seen. The Americans have diminished our spirits and sickened our hearts. During our move, my mother became very ill. The soldiers refused to treat her. They said it was only a cold. She died before we ever reached Oklahoma and maybe that is for the best. Her spirit was already gone. We had nothing to start over with here. The land is flat and brown. It is because of this experience I feel for the Blacks. The way the U.S. Government treated us was beyond cruel but at least we have our freedom. Change is in the wind this I know. If there should be a war, I hope the Blacks never give up and fight harder than we did. Freedom is important and a good cause for any war.