Revolution Quote by Don E. Fehrenbacher
““By the time of the Revolution there was in each colony an accumulated body of slave law that did not so much establish slavery as acknowledge its presence, sanction it, and regulate its conduct.””
About This Quote
Colonial slave law did not create slavery but recognized and regulated it, embedding the institution within legal frameworks and everyday life.
In simple terms: Law legitimized slavery.
Key Takeaway
Legal recognition sustains oppression.
Themes
history
law
slavery
colonialism
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- historical analysis of legal codes
- modern discussions on systemic racism
Key Concepts
institutional legitimacy
social control
Practical Applications
- Examine historical statutes to understand present inequities.
- Use legal precedents to challenge lingering discriminatory practices.
Questions to Reflect On
- How did legal acknowledgment of slavery affect everyday life for the enslaved?
- What parallels exist between historic slave codes and modern legal inequities?
A Different Perspective
The quote overlooks resistance and informal practices that sometimes subverted the law.
