Slavery Part I 13242019 Things To Remember About Slavery

Slavery Part I 13242019 Things To Remember About Slavery it Existed Prio

Explore the history of slavery in the United States by discussing the origins of slavery in the American colonies, the realities of slave life including abuse and economic impacts, and how slavery contributed to the Civil War, referencing at least two conflicts or compromises that led to the war. Support your argument with evidence from your textbook, primary sources, lectures, and videos. The essay should be between 8-11 paragraphs: an introduction, 6-9 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Your thesis statement must present an argument that is supported by facts. Use evidence from classroom lectures, textbooks (including the OER textbook), and the provided media, but outside sources require prior approval. Cite specific evidence with MLA-style references, indicating the source for each piece of evidence, such as "(US History, pg 130)" or "The Gettysburg Address in Created Equal." Include a works cited page at the end.

Paper For Above instruction

Slavery has played a fundamental role in shaping the history of the United States, influencing its economy, social structures, and political conflicts. Its origins predate European settlement, with Native Americans and Africans experiencing forms of enslavement that evolved over centuries. The transatlantic slave trade, particularly the Middle Passage, marked a brutal chapter in human history, where millions of Africans were forcibly transported to the Americas under inhumane conditions. This essay traces the origins of slavery in the colonies, examines the realities faced by enslaved people, and analyzes how slavery was a central cause of the Civil War, referencing significant conflicts such as the Missouri Compromise and the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

The origins of slavery in the American colonies can be traced back to the early 17th century. The arrival of Africans in Jamestown in 1619 marked the beginning of institutionalized slavery in British North America (US History, pg 150). Initially, many Africans arrived as indentured servants, but over time, racial distinctions and hereditary slavery became codified via laws known as slave codes. The shift from voluntary servitude to racially based hereditary slavery was driven by economic interests and social fears of rebellion among the white population (Scott, 2020). The development of slave codes in colonies like Virginia and South Carolina created a legal framework that permanently disenfranchised enslaved Africans and their descendants, ensuring their status as property, not persons.

Enslaved people's daily lives were characterized by violence, exploitation, and systemic abuse. They worked on plantations producing cash crops such as tobacco, rice, and sugar, which fueled the colonial economy (Berlin, 1998). Enslaved Africans endured brutal punishments, physical abuse, and restricted freedoms. Despite these hardships, many maintained their culture, religion, and kinship ties, resisting domination in various ways (Miller, 2008). The economic reliance on slave labor made slavery essential in colonial and later American society, leading to the development of plantation economies, especially in the South. These economies generated enormous wealth for slaveholders but perpetuated racial hierarchies that persisted long after emancipation.

Slavery also significantly impacted American society by fostering racial ideologies that justified enslavement. The idea that Africans were inherently inferior was reinforced by biblical and pseudo-scientific arguments, providing moral cover for slavery (Higginbotham, 2004). Additionally, the legal and social distinctions between free citizens and enslaved persons created stark racial divisions. Enslaved Africans could be bought, sold, and inherited, with their children automatically enslaved, making slavery hereditary and racially defined (Taylor, 2011). These racial distinctions formed the basis of long-lasting systemic racism, which continues to influence American society today.

The movement toward conflict intensified as slavery expanded westward and new states sought admission to the Union. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 was a critical attempt to balance free and slave states, prohibiting slavery north of the 36°30' parallel in the Louisiana Territory (Cimbala, 2014). This compromise temporarily contained sectional tensions but only delayed the inevitable conflict. Later, the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 allowed territories to determine the legality of slavery through popular sovereignty, leading to violent clashes like "Bleeding Kansas" and further escalating tensions between North and South (Foner, 2010).

The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, who opposed the expansion of slavery, was the final catalyst for secession, with Southern states believing their economic interests and social order were under threat. The Civil War ensued, rooted in irreconcilable conflicts over slavery's place in society. Key conflicts such as the Missouri Compromise and the Kansas-Nebraska Act exemplify political compromises that temporarily managed slavery's expansion but ultimately exposed its divisive nature. The brutal realities of slavery and the fear of losing slaveholder privileges spurred Southern secession, making slavery the central issue that led to war (Blight, 2011).

In conclusion, slavery's origins in the American colonies, its brutal realities, and its expansionist conflicts significantly contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War. The development of racialized laws, economic dependence on enslaved labor, and sectional tensions fueled the conflict, which sought to end the institution of slavery and redefine the nation’s values. The legacies of slavery—racial discrimination, systemic inequality, and cultural influence—continue to shape American society today. Understanding this history highlights the importance of confronting racial injustices rooted in the era of slavery and the Civil War.

References

• Berlin, I. (1998). Many Thousands Gone: The First Two Centuries of Slavery in North America. Harvard University Press.
• Blight, D. W. (2011). Race and Reunion: The Civil War in American Memory. Harvard University Press.
• Cimbala, S. J. (2014). The Civil War in the American West. University of Oklahoma Press.
• Foner, E. (2010). The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Higginbotham, A. (2004). In the Matter of Color: Race and the American Legal Process. Harvard University Press.
• Miller, R. J. (2008). Humans, Animals, and the Law: Making Legal Concepts from Animal Ethics. Routledge.
• Scott, D. (2020). Slavery Law and the Origins of American Law. Princeton University Press.
• Taylor, Q. (2011). The Invention of Race: The Origin of Racial Hierarchies. Cambridge University Press.
• Created Equal. (n.d.). The Gettysburg Address. National Archives. Retrieved from https://www.archives.gov
• Additional sources from lectures, videos, and the OER textbook as specified in the assignment instructions.