The Slavery Lawsuits They Didnt Teach You In School

Decades before abolition, enslaved people sued for their freedom in court and won. But today, the only freedom suit most people are familiar with is the case of Dred Scott. So why don't we know more about these early lawsuits? From Massachusetts to Missouri, the history of freedom suits is more complicated than you might think.

This episode of In The Margins is part of PBS’ America@250 collection, celebrating the country’s 250th anniversary. Democracy is built on participation. Get involved at https://vote.org/pbs

In The Margins is a series that covers the history they didn’t teach in school, exploring obscure, yet captivating tales that offer unique insights into their time and place.

00:00 Intro
1:02 Slavery, the Declaration, and early America
2:21 Mumbett Sues for Freedom
4:19 Quock Walker / Slavery ends in MA
5:38 Missouri's Freedom Suits
7:25 Dred & Harriet Scott
8:36 The 13th and 14th Amendments
10:10 Conclusion

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Learn more about Elizabeth Freeman:
https://thetrustees.org/content/elizabeth-freeman-fighting-for-freedom/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337455403_'Good_Mother_Farewell'_Elizabeth_Freeman's_Silence_and_the_Stories_of_Mumbet

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