Slavery

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Slavery in the U.S existed and practiced like a national institution for over a century. It was practiced for a long time until the Constitution of the Thirteen Amendment to the U.S was passed. Before, the law was passed; the southern region was still practicing slavery.

During the Civil war eve, there was a large population of enslaved people in the South part of America. Most of them worked in plantations in the production of rice, sugar, cotton, and tobacco. Slavery increased substantially to areas where there was plentiful of soils for planting. These slaves were predominantly African slaves and white slaves especially the native Americans were extremely few.

According to the West African History, Africa was a decent place. Many antislavery activists believe that with the Europeans enslaving the Africans, war came, and the environment was not quiet and peaceful. The writers believe that Europeans promoted wars by capturing Africans as slaves. The slaves working like servants labored simply because they were forced to do it. Each of them was unfortunate and they had a right to be free. Unfortunately, they were unaware of their rights and, so they were exploited by the slave-owners.

The Triangular Trade involved movement of commodities like copper, cloth, glass and manila across African, Britain, Atlantic Ocean and America. During this trade, slaves were sold and moved to America to work. Sir John Howkins was the Englishman who started slavery in 1562. Around 1664 to 1669, he had taken over 1200 Africans to sell to the Spanish. Around 1526, the first African slave arrived in the U.S, but the recorded slavery was in 1619 where Viginia in North America received the first slaves who were 20 Africans. Most of the slaves paid for the transport costs to the colonies through labor because the economy was poor. By the 18th century, courts and legislatures of the colonies made slavery racialist in that most of the slaves were Africans.

Many slaves were treated heartlessly and in a cruel way. It is estimated by historian that around 100,000 slaves were bought and shipped into the United States of America. The slaves were then kept in yards and slave pens temporarily during their journey. Many died on their way to America. This passage was usually called the middle passage. The ships conditions were dehumanizing and cruel. It could take several months for them to come to the destination.

Between 1783 and 1850, many farm owners were in need of large farms for cotton gin. This meant that labor was also required. With this, more slaves were involuntarily shipped into America separating them from their families. On arriving to the farms their life was hard because of the hard work given to them and harsh conditions. However, the farmers benefited a lot since they made more yields and profits.

The Africans who were enslaved resisted the system, and they plotted on how to overthrow the system. Their revolts significantly lead to abolition and liberation. It is during their fight to freedom that slaves were also betrayed. Many slaves were risking a lot to get their freedom. In 1775, Lord Dunmore, Virginia governor, promised freedom to slaves only if they accepted to join the British Army. Thousands of slaves joined just to get their freedom. Lord Dunmore gave them false hope of being free. However, they never got their promised freedom.

From 1770 to 1860, slavery was a controversial topic in the U.S politics. It was debated on regarding the drafting it into the constitution. Activists engaged into political and moral debates, and they encouraged the state to create a Free Soil state. This debate on slavery was becoming a serious issue, and in 1787 slavery was made illegal in the U.S. The thirteenth Amendment Constitution of the U.S was passed. In 1808, the congress banned importing of Africans from Africa. The importation of slaves was stopped, but internal slavery continued. Around 1835, it was noted that colonies that did not have slaves were populous and rich as compared to those who were still practicing slavery. In 1860, President Lincoln was elected, and he issued the Emancipation Proclamation and it declared that all people held as slaves will be free henceforth. The civil war ended in 1865 and the Thirteenth Amendment that abolished slavery was passed.

There is a legacy that was created by the transatlantic trade. The movement of people across the Atlantic caused sevral impacts including; decline in the population of west Africans, notions of race shifted, racism, inequality, and a significant boost in the economic and agriculture in America. This also made the white population feel superior towards the Africans. Another impact was the formation of a new culture which has been passed through generation, maintained and also transformed.

Work Cited

BIBLIOGRAPHY l 1033 Brody, James A. Henretta & David. America : A Consice History, Volume 1 : to 1877. U.S.A: Bedford/ St. Martins, 2009.