David Walker's Appeal Analysis

The Appeal

Abolitionist David Walker published the pamphlet, Appeal, which encouraged enslaved men and women to rebel against their white owners for their freedom. This pamphlet urged emancipation of all slaves in the United States and argued the idea of colonization. Walker’s audience in Appeal was intended for all enslaved men and women in the United States and around the world. Walker’s pamphlet Appeal caused a major controversy within slave owners and slaves but also inspired many future leaders and encouraged slaves to be free.
David Walker argued for abolishment of all slavery and encouraged many who were enslaved to violently rebel against their “masters” if that is what is going to gain their freedom from the slaveholders. In the
In Appeal, Walker attacks Jefferson and states, “Mr. Jefferson declared to the world, that we are inferior to the whites…It is indeed surprising, that a man of such great learning, combined with such excellent natural parts, should speak so of a set of men in chains. I do not know what to compare it to, unless, like putting one wild deer in an iron cage, where it will be secured, and hold another by the side of the same, then let it go, and expect the one in the cage to run as fast as the one at liberty”. Walker completely rejects Jefferson’s colonization theory along with his racism towards blacks. The concept of colonization angered Walker as he stated,” America is more our country, than it is the whites-we have enriched it with our blood and tears. The greatest riches in all America have arisen from our blood and tears”. During that time all of America demanded slavery for production and it was slavery that built America’s economy therefore Walker believed slaves have every right to be a part of this country. In this pamphlet, Walker challenges Jefferson’s idea of colonization and