Robert Smalls

The riveting life of the inspirational abolitionist and politician

1

Robert Smalls Birth

Robert Smalls was born on April 8, 1839, in Beaufort, South Carolina. He was born into slavery along with his mother, who was a nanny. The identity of his father is unknown. He worked for the McKee family.

2

New Plantation

In 1851 he moved to a new plantation in Charleston, SC (still owned by the McKee family). At this new plantation, he worked many jobs that had to do with sailing such as lighthouse lamplighter, sailmaker, etc. Eventually, he became a sailor (while still enslaved), and was able to navigate himself through the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia.

3

Slavery Escape

On May 13, 1861, Smalls and other slaves were stationed on a Confederate weapons ship called The Planter. The crew decided to hijack the ship, take as many other slaves and families as they could, and escape slavery. They successfully passed through multiple southern checkpoints and turned in the ship to the Union. Their services provided the North with useful weapons, ammunition, and information that may have helped the Union be victorious in the Civil War. Smalls was rewarded with around $55,000 in today's money and a lead spot in the military.

4

During the War

During the Civil War in 1863, Smalls piloted a ship called the USS Keokuk. The U.S. awarded his bravery on this ship by making him the captain of the USS Planter once again. He would then become the first-ever African-American captain in the United States. He then fought multiple other battles, gaining a name for himself.

5

His Influence

After Smalls was done fighting, he attended the Republican National Convention in 1864 in Philidelphia, PA. He participated in a total of 7 of these. With the following Smalls gained, he became very influential to people of African descent in the U.S. In December of that year, Robert was removed from a streetcar because of his skin color. He then was able to lead a massive boycott, asking for integrated streetcars. The boycott was successful showing the power and influence Smalls had.

6

U.S. Congress

In 1874, Robert Smalls ran for congress in his hometown district in South Carolina. He won the election by mass majority. During the time he served, Smalls tried to support people of his own race and ethnicity. along with the town's well-being. He wanted to have more integrated opportunities. For example, he unsuccessfully tried to add an anti-discrimination bill that would have integrated army groups, and made the identifier of race, not a determiner of which army regiments soldiers are placed in.

7

End of Career

Robert Smalls was arrested and put in Jail because he was charged with taking a $5,000 bribe while in office. He was pardoned after only 3 days. Despite all of these challenges, he continued to serve, winning his spot back in the House of Representatives after serving in different positions in the government. His positions in the government constantly fluctuated depending on whether the president was a Democrat or a Republican. Smalls served all the way until 1913 until he was removed because of the same reason (Democratic President)

8

Death

Robert Smalls died on February 22, 1915 because of natural causes. Smalls died a father, politician and successful abolitionist.