In 1860, as the American Experiment threatened to explode into a bloody civil war, there were as many as four hundred thousand slave-owners in the United States, and almost four million slaves. The nation was founded upon the idea that all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The nation would pay a bloody cost for denying that right to more than twelve percent of its population.
But when slavery was first brought to America's shores, this war, and even the nation it tore apart, was centuries in the future. With incredibly detailed historical reenactments, expert commentary and the stories of slavery told through first-hand accounts, this is an epic struggle 400 years in the making. A journey into the past like none other. This is the story of these men and women who by their hands laid the foundation of what would become the most powerful nation on Earth. Join us as we rise...UP FROM SLAVERY.
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Best Episodes of Up From Slavery
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Up From Slavery Episode Guide
Part One - 1619 Virginia - The First African Slaves arrive
S1 Ep1
1.0
13th Sep 2011
Up From Slavery is a powerful, compelling documentary series that examines the history of slavery in America, from the arrival of the first African slaves through Nat Turner's Rebellion to the Civil War.
Part Two - 18th Century Colonial America and Slavery under the rule of the British Empire
S1 Ep2
20th Sep 2011
The section of the series presents the changes in slavery in North America due to the beginning of British dominance over the territory and the evolution of the farming and trade practices in the Northern and Southern colonies.
Part Three - Slavery in the United States after the Revolution
S1 Ep3
27th Sep 2011
The US was founded upon the idea that all men are created equal with the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but would pay a bloody cost for denying that right to more than twelve percent of its population.
Part Four - Nat Turners Rebellion, 1831
S1 Ep4
4th Oct 2011
This part of the series presents the reaction by individuals and parties to the continued use of slave labor in portions of the United States.
Part Five - Abolition from the North grows
S1 Ep5
11th Oct 2011
This segment of the series speaks about the efforts by Northern Abolitionists to eliminate slavery prior to the start of the Civil War. The participants in this cause and the actions taken by them are recounted.
Part Six - The Civil War. Emancipation Proclamation
S1 Ep6
18th Oct 2011
This portion of the series talks about the causes of and start of the Civil War; the evolution of the drive to win on each side of the conflict and of President Lincoln's bold step towards freedom for all slaves in the United States.
Part Seven - Aftermath of the Civil War and new freedom
S1 Ep7
25th Oct 2011
This section of the series looks at the conclusion of the War Between the States and the effects of the outcome for slaves, slave owners and the entire country.
