KVMR Interview with Alan Stahler – Slavery in California

Alan Stahler, host of KVMR's Soundings, interviews Richard & TJ about black and Indian slavery during the first decade of California statehood.

    Topics:

TJ explains the South's focus on expanding slavery. • California's admission as a free state in 1850 upsets Southern ambitions. • Why the 49ers wanted a free-soil California.

The Great Debate of 1850. • R talks about the struggle to hold the Union together. • Appeasing the South. • Slaves arrive in California. • The uncertain status of black slaves in California.

The need for agricultural laborers in California. • Indian "indentured servitude" fills the gap. • Forced labor condoned by California law.

TJ talks about Indian-white intermarriage, Indian relocation, and the slave trade. • R discusses profitable cronisim between Indian agents and justices of the peace. • The 13th amendment ends slavery in the US. In California, the Indian population crashes.

In Nevada County, Colonel English's freed slaves become the ancestors of local black communities. The pioneer Nye family intermarries with Pamelo's Nisenan band at Bridgeport and assures Indian survival.

A quick plot synopsis of QONM: Will's dilemma - how his loves and loyalties are tried by war