Antebellum America
Pre-Civil War, the United States was divided virtually by every issue, most pressingly, slavery and states' rights. Though it felt like the US had just gotten out of war with England less than a century earlier, it was clear that a new flare up of conflict was not far away. The battles and military of hardships of war were not yet present in Blackwell's time, but the cold and divisive attitudes of the North versus the South was beginning to show.
Blackwell's family experienced some of the politics and new ideas that were circulating when they first moved to Ohio in 1838. Blackwell prided herself on being politically active and aware of current events.
"We attended political conventions and public meetings, and joined in singing political songs. It was a most exciting time. Some years later, the New England Transcendental movement spread to the West. It was the era of the Brook Farm experiment." (Blackwell, pg. 12)
Slavery was a defining characteristic of the US, Blackwell observed. Though reserved in her outward actions, she clearly had sympathy for slave, and hopefully fantasized about a society without slavery in her writings.
"I dislike slavery more and more everyday... to live in the midst of being degraded to the utmost in body and mind, drudging on from earliest morning to latest night, cuffed about by everyone, scolded at all day long, blamed unjustly, and without spirit enough to reply, with no consideration in any way for their feelings, with no hope for the future...to live in their midst utterly unable to help them, is to me dreadful, and what I would not do long for any consideration." (Blackwell, pg. 20-21)
Blackwell's family experienced some of the politics and new ideas that were circulating when they first moved to Ohio in 1838. Blackwell prided herself on being politically active and aware of current events.
"We attended political conventions and public meetings, and joined in singing political songs. It was a most exciting time. Some years later, the New England Transcendental movement spread to the West. It was the era of the Brook Farm experiment." (Blackwell, pg. 12)
Slavery was a defining characteristic of the US, Blackwell observed. Though reserved in her outward actions, she clearly had sympathy for slave, and hopefully fantasized about a society without slavery in her writings.
"I dislike slavery more and more everyday... to live in the midst of being degraded to the utmost in body and mind, drudging on from earliest morning to latest night, cuffed about by everyone, scolded at all day long, blamed unjustly, and without spirit enough to reply, with no consideration in any way for their feelings, with no hope for the future...to live in their midst utterly unable to help them, is to me dreadful, and what I would not do long for any consideration." (Blackwell, pg. 20-21)
Though slavery is often viewed as the biggest factor in the beginnings of the Civil War, states' rights was another issue that fought for attention in a time already full with tension and division. Blackwell commented on John C. Calhoun's view of states' rights after having seen him speak.
"John C. Calhoun's address, given to the enthusiastic meeting which crowded the theatre, was noteworthy...The influence of this able statesman, John C. Calhoun, was largely instrumental in causing the Civil War in America." (Blackwell, pg. 46-47)
This was a time period of confusion, division, and tension, but it was also a time period just waiting for lasting and defining change. Elizabeth Blackwell emerged as a leader, prepared to make a defining change in her life, and the world, a decision we now know gave her a powerful and rich legacy to be shared.
"John C. Calhoun's address, given to the enthusiastic meeting which crowded the theatre, was noteworthy...The influence of this able statesman, John C. Calhoun, was largely instrumental in causing the Civil War in America." (Blackwell, pg. 46-47)
This was a time period of confusion, division, and tension, but it was also a time period just waiting for lasting and defining change. Elizabeth Blackwell emerged as a leader, prepared to make a defining change in her life, and the world, a decision we now know gave her a powerful and rich legacy to be shared.