Chapter 36 in Story of the World volume 3 covers the end of the slave trade. We were very happy the abolitionists succeeded in their worthy endeavor. We discussed greed and how the desire for more money makes people do horrible things.
For our craft, we made an abolitionist poster – a very basic one. Large construction paper instead of poster board. Where would I put a poster board? We already have too little wall space because we have so many windows. Besides, I could not even fit a poster board in their craft bins (which are rather large, mind you).
So I opted for a large construction paper in red – a color which demands attention. I made a copy of the poem provided and taped it in the middle. We looked up four Bible verses which condemn slavery and the kidnapping of people.
One verse was from the Old Testament and three from the New Testament: Exodus 21:16, Galatians 3:28, 1 Timothy 1:9-10, and Luke 4:18. Of course, there are so many more verses which condemn slavery. It is a disgrace that Christians used to use the Bible to condone this abominable practice.
When they get a bit older, I will have them read “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It will give them an immersion into that universe and the people in it. It is a sad chapter in world history, but research shows there are more slaves in the world today than back in the 19th century. How awful!
Human trafficking is a tough conversation to have with small children, so I am reserving that one for the next time we go through the curriculum.