History Of Slavery

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Slavery is the ownership of one human being by another and it has existed throughout history. The issue of slavery began in the 1960s when Africans were transported to North America as slaves. Upon arrival, they were forced to work on plantations or mines, while some served as domestic servants. Many slaves could earn money, buy their freedom, marry, or testify in courts, which sometimes allowed them to acquire land illegally. By the 1600s, African Americans had become slaves in the American colonies, especially in the South, due to the presence of large cotton and crop plantations requiring labor (Davis, 2016).

During the 1800s, the plantation system grew, with workers referred to as 'field hands,' responsible for tasks like planting and harvesting cotton, which was physically demanding. Domestic slaves, known as servants, handled chores such as cooking and laundry (Eltis, Engerman, Drescher, & Richardson, 2017). Masters supervised slaves, with some being kind and rewarding good behavior, while others were cruel and inflicted punishment. Enslaved individuals working in mines or on plantations were often treated poorly and punished harshly, whereas domestic servants sometimes were treated more leniently and could be considered part of the family.

Many slaves sought freedom through various means. Some were fortunate to be freed upon the death of their master through wills, and once free, they developed their own language, music, and religious practices, blending African and Christian beliefs. The Underground Railroad was a secret network used by enslaved people to escape to free states or Canada, hiding during the day and traveling at night to avoid capture (De Groot, 2016). Despite risk, many slaves escaped, especially to the North, although those captured could be sent back to their masters.

By 1860, about four million slaves lived in the South, comprising a third of the population there. The economic benefits of slavery were significant, as it provided cheap labor for cotton, sugar, and other plantations, fostering profits for landowners and contributing to the growth of American and British economies. The invention of the cotton gin in 1793 by Eli Whitney revolutionized cotton processing, making slavery even more profitable by increasing cotton production and strengthening the plantation economy (Gaffield, 2016).

The transatlantic slave trade was a brutal process. Enslaved Africans were forcibly taken from their homelands, often under inhumane conditions aboard ships. During transportation, many slaves were chained and subjected to mistreatment, with some being thrown overboard if they were weak or ill to strengthen the survival chances of others (Taussig, 2018). The inhumane conditions and violent treatment underscored the cruelty of the slave system, which relied on dehumanization and violence.

Slavery persisted into the late 18th and early 19th centuries despite growing abolitionist movements. Some states, like Vermont and New Hampshire, banned slavery in the late 1700s. The abolitionist movement, fueled by moral and religious arguments, gained momentum with figures like Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass. Tubman, born into slavery, escaped and spent her life helping others via the Underground Railroad, guiding over 300 slaves to freedom (Miller, 2013). She also contributed during the Civil War era by assisting Union efforts.

Frederick Douglass, another prominent abolitionist born into slavery in Maryland, became a powerful speaker and writer. He learned to read secretly, trading lessons for bread, and became an influential voice against slavery through his speeches and autobiography. Douglass’s writings highlighted the brutality of slavery and called for abolition and equal rights (Roitman, 2016). Both Tubman and Douglass symbolize the resilience and fight for freedom by enslaved Africans and abolitionists alike.

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 intensified tensions between free and slave states by requiring citizens and law enforcement to assist in capturing escaped slaves, leading to increased dangers for abolitionists and free blacks. Many abolitionists, like Douglass, faced persecution or had to flee to Europe for safety. The law exemplified the federal government’s support for slavery, despite rising opposition and abolitionist activism (Thurston, 2017). The anti-slavery movement eventually culminated in the Civil War, which resulted in the emancipation of enslaved people.

The abolition of slavery was a lengthy process influenced by social reform movements, economic shifts, and persistent activism. It involved legislation, civil disobedience, and moral campaigns that challenged the institution’s legitimacy. The 1807 Act that prohibited the importation of slaves marked a significant step but did not abolish slavery itself. The movement gained further momentum through the efforts of abolitionists like Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, whose work helped change public opinion and government policy. Their voices, along with legislative acts such as the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment, finally ended legalized slavery in the United States (Suess, 2016).

In conclusion, slavery's history in America is marked by brutal exploitation, courageous resistance, and relentless activism. From its brutal inception in the transatlantic slave trade to the brave efforts of abolitionists, the fight against slavery has shaped the nation’s development towards equality. The legacy of these struggles continues to influence contemporary discussions on human rights and social justice, highlighting the importance of remembrance, education, and ongoing activism to prevent such atrocities from recurring.

References

• Davis, K. C. (2016). In the Shadow of Liberty: The Hidden History of Slavery, Four Presidents, and Five Black Lives.
• Eltis, D., Engerman, S. L., Drescher, S., & Richardson, D. (2017). The Cambridge World History of Slavery: Volume 4. Cambridge University Press.
• Gaffield, J. (2016). The Haitian Revolution: A Documentary History. Routledge.
• Miller, J. C. (2013). The History of Slavery. Slavery & Abolition, 35(1), 1-50.
• Roitman, J. V. (2016). Land of Hope and Dreams: Slavery and Abolition in the Dutch Leeward Islands, 1825–1865. Slavery & Abolition, 37(2), 233-251.
• Suess, B. A. (2016). Colonial Bodies and the Abolition of Slavery: A Tale of Two Cobbes. Slavery & Abolition, 37(3), 318-335.
• Thurston, T. (2017). Slavery: Annual Bibliographical Supplement (2015). Slavery & Abolition, 38(4), 543-558.
• De Groot, J. (2016). Consuming History: Historians and Heritage in Contemporary Popular Culture. Routledge.
• Goff, P. A., Eberhardt, J. L., Williams, M. J., & Jackson, M. C. (2008). Not Yet Human: Tacit Knowledge, Historical Dehumanization, and Contemporary Consequences. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 94(2), 292-306.
• Taussig, M. (2018). Mimesis and Alterity: A Particular History of the Senses. Routledge.