1. Enslavement: Robert Smalls was born enslaved, and his early years were shaped by the hardships and oppression faced by enslaved individuals in the antebellum South.
2. Poverty and Hardship: Smalls's family struggled financially, and they often faced severe economic hardships. He had to work from a young age to help support his family.
3. Limited Education: As an enslaved person, Smalls had limited access to education and opportunities for intellectual development. He taught himself to read and write, demonstrating his determination and resilience despite the challenges he faced.
4. Apprenticeship: As he grew older, Smalls was apprenticed to a ship's carpenter. This apprenticeship provided him with valuable skills in carpentry and sailing, which later played a crucial role in his daring escape to freedom.
5. Waterfront Life: Growing up in a coastal town, Smalls spent a significant amount of time on the waterfront, where he gained knowledge and experience in navigation and sailing.
6. Witnessing Injustice: Smalls witnessed the harsh treatment and injustices that enslaved individuals endured, including the separation of families and the brutality of the plantation system. These experiences fueled his desire for freedom and equality.
7. Role Model: Despite the challenges of his childhood, Smalls found inspiration and support from older relatives and fellow enslaved individuals who showed courage and determination in the face of oppression.
Robert Smalls's experiences during his childhood shaped his character, instilling in him a strong sense of self-reliance, determination, and a desire to fight for freedom and justice. His later achievements and contributions to society, including his brave act of piloting a Confederate ship to freedom, were built upon the foundation of resilience and the lessons learned during his challenging childhood.