Best of: Illinois’ history with slavery and its links to the present
Slave shackles are on display as part of the Undying Words exhibit during an announcement of the schedule of events and activities for next year to mark the 150th anniversary of the end of slavery, the conclusion of the Civil War and the death of Abraham Lincoln at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library in 2014. Seth Perlman/AP
When Illinois was admitted to the union, it was as a free state, as opposed to a slave state, but that was just one chapter in the long history of slavery and its legacy in Illinois, dating all the way back to the 1600s, when French settlers brought slaves with them as they came to the area. It continued under English rule into Illinois’ days as a territory and didn’t go away completely until 1848’s state constitution.
Two centuries ago this year, in 1823, some pro-slavery legislators tried to call a new state constitutional convention so that they could allow slavery in Illinois, beyond what the then-current constitution allowed. Ultimately in late 1824, the voters defeated the proposal, but the impact of those votes, the debate surrounding them, and the region’s long history of slavery and other racist policies still resonates two centuries later.
The 21st spent the entire hour diving into that history and what it means for the present day with a panel of historical researchers.
This conversation originally aired March 27, 2023.
GUESTS:
Caroline Kisiel
Associate Professor, School of Continuing and Professional Studies, DePaul University | Illinois Humanities Road Scholar
Kiffany Dugger
Graduate student in history, Jackson State University, Mississippi
Brian Miller
Professor of Sociology, Wheaton College
Prepared for web by Owen Henderson
Help shape our coverage on The 21st by joining our texting group and answering weekly questions. To join, text “TALK” to 217-803-0730 or sign up with your phone number below: