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Did Robert E. Lee own slaves?

Updated: 8/22/2023
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Wiki User

6y ago

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Yes, he had 196 slaves.

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Christop Erdman

Lvl 10
2y ago
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6y ago

no he didn't he was against slavery nobody knows that because they want to make the civil war all about slavery even though (in my opinion) it was really about tax and voters rights only 30% of people lived in the south but they paid 80% of the tax and 94% of the south didn't own slaves but people want to make the south look bad Robert E. Lee likely would have been the 2nd president of the CSA and would have outlawed slavery although there is no basis in fact for my conjecture.

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zzzzzzzzzz

Lvl 1
10mo ago
I completely agree with you, The Souths secession was more about State Rights then Slavery.

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9y ago

Yes, Lee owned his own slaves through inheritance from his mother in addition to those that his wife, Mary Custis Lee owned on their Arlington plantation. Mary's father, George Washington Parke Custis, had ordered his slaves freed upon his death in 1857, provided that the estate was deemed financially sound, or by no later than five years afterward. Lee argued in court that Arlington required its slaves for that full five years. He also personally directed whippings of runaway slaves and hired out slaves, including boys and girls, to other landowners.

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11y ago

Yes. He inherited many slaves from his father-in-law, who had promised them that they would be freed on his death. Unfortunately the old man had not explained that it would take a couple of years to process the will.

So Lee inherited some very angry and rebellious slaves, who kept claming their freedom. His punishments were said to be quite brutal, but he was doing what he considered necessary to maintain order. As executor of the will, he was not in a position to free the slaves until probate was granted.

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12y ago

As statement of fact, Robert E. Lee set free his slaves (not more than a half dozen) at the early stage of Civil War.

Indeed he wrote to his wife in 1856, approximately as follows:

"The slavery as an institution, is both a moral and political evil for all countries. It is useless dwelling upon its drawbacks aspects. I do think, however, that the slavery

be a worse calamity for the white race than for the black race, and whilst my feelings are greatly in favour of the latter, my sympathy are much more in favour of the first.

The emancipation (of the slaves) will be more rapid thanks to the gentle and progressive action of Christianity rather than through the fury of the fierce dissension."

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Brandy Moore

Lvl 2
3y ago

No, he didn’t. Despite a previous comment that defamed the character of Robert E. Lee by not only falsely accusing him of having slaves but

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Griffin Davis

Lvl 1
2y ago
This comment is not based in facts. I’m guessing you’re a republican?

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Wiki User

16y ago

no, he was a confederate general No, He was a soldier in both the US Army and the Confederate Army.

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Wiki User

14y ago

No, Robert E. Lee was a general for the confederacy. The confederacy was fighting FOR slavery.

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Wiki User

15y ago

Yes, he had 196 slaves.

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Anonymous

Lvl 1
3y ago

Yes, he came from a long line of wealthy plantation owners. Not only that, but even by the standards of his day, Lee was considered a harsh master.

He not only owned and inherited slaves, but took slaves freed in his former father in laws will to court to prevent them from being emancipated for an additional five years, meaning that he was personally responsible for enslaving men.

For more on this please see the American civil war museum.

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Anonymous

Lvl 1
3y ago
Robert E. Lee DID NOT own slaves. He was against slavery. Read your history. Do not assume.
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Anonymous

Lvl 1
3y ago
The June 11 post is completely false.
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Anonymous

Lvl 1
3y ago
Trustworthy coming from an anonymous name

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Related questions

Why was General Robert E. Lee called Morse Robert E. Lee?

I think it was what his slaves called him: 'Marse Robert'.


What was Robert e lee known for?

Robert E. Lee was known for fighting for the south for slaves.


Did Robert E Lee sleep with his slave women?

There is no historical evidence that Lee slept with any of his slaves.


Was he a slave General Robert E. Lee?

Slaves did not become Confederate Generals, my friend!


What did general Robert e lee think was wrong to own?

Slaves. He was the most revered and respected person in the Confederacy and he was against slavery. He freed the slaves that had come to him by way of his father-in-law's estate will.


What did Robert E. Lee think should happen to slaves?

Robert E. Lee was against slavery. He actually freed all the slaves he had. The only reason he fought for the Confederacy was because he wanted to stay loyal to his home state of Virginia.


Why do people call Robert e lee Robert e lee and not Robert edward lee?

it was shorter


Advantages for the south?

they had: Cotton production Slaves Land Well prepared army officers Robert E. Lee They where fighting on their own soil They where familiar with using good weapons


Is Robert E Lee single?

No, Robert E Lee is not single.


What happened to all of General Robert E. Lee's slaves?

The last of the slaves inherited by Lee's wife were freed in 1862 at the start of the war. Most stayed on at the plantation or at the federally established Freedman's Village on the property. Their descendants still live in Arlington County Robert E Lee granted his personal slave freedom in 1858


Who led a raid on the US army to get guns for slaves but was caught and hanged by Robert e lee?

John Brown


What made blacks practically slaves again and gave whites almost unlimited power?

robert e lee