You and Pennsylvania: Surrounded by Freedom (and Maybe a Ghost or Two)
Ah, Pennsylvania! Home of cheesesteaks, liberty bells, and, well, not exactly a booming slave trade. But hey, that doesn't mean there weren't some interesting neighbors back in the day. Buckle up, history buffs (and those who just like a good trivia question at the bar), because we're about to uncover the curious case of Pennsylvania's not-so-free neighbors.
 |
| What Three Slave States Border Pennsylvania |
The Mason-Dixon Mystery: A Line in the Sand (or Should We Say, Soil?)
You might have heard of the Mason-Dixon Line. It's practically synonymous with the North-South divide in the Civil War era. But did you know it all started with a pesky border dispute between Pennsylvania and... Maryland? Apparently, William Penn wasn't the best at real estate deals (sorry, dude). This disagreement led to the Mason-Dixon Line being drawn, which, fun fact, wasn't actually that straight! Surveyors had to battle through rattlesnakes, disgruntled farmers, and who knows, maybe even the ghost of William Penn himself (unhappy about his messy land deal, perhaps?).
Tip: The details are worth a second look.
So, the Mason-Dixon Line became this imaginary fence. North of the line? Free states. South of the line? Well, that's where things get interesting.
Reminder: Reading twice often makes things clearer.
Pennsylvania's Not-So-Free Neighbors: A Motley Crew
Now, Pennsylvania might have been all about liberty and justice for all (well, most of the "all" by that point), but its neighbors weren't exactly on the same page. Here's a look at the three slave states that shared a border with Pennsylvania:
Tip: Summarize the post in one sentence.
- Delaware: Tiny but mighty (in the slaveholding department, that is). Delaware held onto slavery until the very end, even though it was surrounded by free states. Guess they really liked their tiny fiefdom of forced labor.
- Maryland: A bit of a Jekyll and Hyde situation. Maryland had a large free population in the north, but the south was heavily reliant on slave labor, particularly for tobacco plantations. Talk about a state with an identity crisis.
- Virginia (well, a part of it): Virginia was a full-on slave state, but the western part (which later became West Virginia) wasn't too keen on the whole forced-labor thing. This little difference of opinion eventually led to a whole new state being born – free and independent (of slavery, at least).
So, there you have it! Three not-so-free states keeping Pennsylvania company.
Tip: Slow down when you hit important details.
FAQ: You've Got Questions, We've Got (Short) Answers!
How to impress my friends with my newfound knowledge of Pennsylvania's slave-holding neighbors? Casually drop this fact at your next gathering: "Delaware, Maryland, and a sliver of Virginia (now West Virginia) were all slave states bordering Pennsylvania. Talk about an interesting neighborhood!"
How to avoid a heated historical debate at a party? Tread lightly! The Civil War and slavery are sensitive topics. Stick to the fun facts and avoid getting into political arguments about the "good ol' days" (which, let's be honest, weren't so good for everyone).
How to learn more about the Mason-Dixon Line? Dive into the fascinating history of this boundary! There are tons of resources online and in libraries. You might even be surprised by the crazy stories of the surveyors who braved the wilderness to map it out.
How to appreciate the fact that we live in a time where slavery is abolished (at least officially)? Take a moment to recognize the progress we've made. While there's still a lot of work to do in terms of equality, the fact that slavery is no longer legal in the US is a huge step forward.
How to make a killer cheesesteak? Now that's a question for a whole different post! But hey, while you're researching Pennsylvania history, you might as well learn how to make their most famous food, right?
 |
