Map of the Week: Slave Populations in 1860

“Map showing the distribution of the slave population of the Southern states of the United States. Compiled from the census of 1860. Drawn by E. Hergesheimer. Engr. by Th. Leonhardt.” Library of Congress, American Memory Map Collections.

Thanks to Rebecca Onion at Slate Magazine for finding this map. This is an incredible visualization of our nation’s history and development of slavery as well as the political motivations of the Confederate southern states. This map could also give a nuanced visualization of the history of disenfranchised populations in the US and how that relates to present day disparities.