- Slavery in America
- The current America leads in terms of development, technology advancements and as a superpower continent. Despite the freedom that the American people experience, there is a need to recognize its origin. The freedom that the Americans managed to achieve led to the development that is experienced in the modern world (Bullet, 2004). History depicts that most of the slaves who were held as captives in America came from various parts of Africa. The slaves assisted in many areas of development that the American citizens enjoy nowadays. However, Euro-Americans who managed to arrive in North America during those early days were optimistic of creating a prosperous future in the land that they settled.
- Most of the Euro-Americans who managed to arrive in North America had a high potential of making a better living. Most of them were from Britain although some Portuguese who used to engage in the slave trade were common visitors. The migration of the British from Europe occurred back in the year 1619 (Bullet, 2004). Before and after the migration of the British, many decades passed until slavery constitutionally ended in 1865 (Bullet, 2004). Various reasons led to flourishing of slavery in America. One of the reasons was the need to for massive and cheap labor that the slaves could offer. The other reason that contributed to slavery in America was the prejudice against African American. The ethnic hatred between White and Black Americans led to the justification of slave trade mostly in the Northern region of the country. History depicts that there were more slaves in America than in other part of the world (Bullet, 2004). Slave trade in America began as early as 1530 (Bullet, 2004). One of the main issues addressed concerning the origins and history of American slavery includes the live of slaves. The other issue is how the American Lords treated them and the histories of those engaged in the trade but managed to leave a legacy.
- Considering that most of the Euro-Americans who managed to arrive in America during this period had high ambitions of making a better living, many of the slaves experienced a lot of in-human acts. The Slaves were forced to work in the American farms while receiving low amount of compensation. Unfortunately, some of the slaves did not receive anything from their respective owners (Carnes, 1999). The Americans preferred slaves from various part of Africa because they were eligible of performing farm duties. Most of the duties that the slaves were entitled include farming, grazing while others engaged in mining activities. Other slaves could work in the homes of their masters where they could perform household duties. The experience that the Africans had in relation to farming activities made the American Lords to engage in the slave trade for a long period (Carnes, 1999). Africans were entitled to work in the rice, sugar and cotton fields where they experienced most of the mistreatment. The slaves were beaten and experienced acts that were beyond human expectations (Bullet, 2004).
- The Euro-Americans who were in the Northern part of the country contributed in a large extent to the existence of slave trade. History depicts that there were more than eleven million slaves by the end of eighteenth century (Carnes, 1999). Most of the slaves bought from Africa were transported mainly to North America while others in various parts of South America (Carnes, 1999). Some of the African community leaders contributed either directly or indirectly in the slave trade. They could capture the strong men in the society and lock them in cells while waiting the slave buyers to come so that they can sell them. Purchasing of the slaves enhanced negotiation where the strong ones could cost much high price compared to the others. The business seemed so in human because the slaves were to go a thorough body and health check-up. Most of the buyers desired to buy only the strong slaves who could manage to survive under harsh conditions in America. The slaves were transported by use of ships from Africa to various part of America. After arriving in America, the slaves had no formal representation in the American government. They had no right to choose what they were capable of doing. Furthermore, they were not eligible to own any form of property. The slave masters restricted them to acquire any basic skills of reading or writing. The slave’s children did not have the permission to mix with those of their masters (Carnes, 1999).
- The Euro-Americans having contributed much in the existence of slavery in America faced much challenges from different human right activists. The activists were campaigning for the end of slavery in the whole of America. Fortunately, the Emancipation Proclamation of slavery was introduced and it offered a significant impact in ending slavery in America. Later, an amendment in the American constitution was made that abolishes all forms of slavery in the country. Slavery in America resulted in many negative issues that depict how human beings can be cruel to others. However, the Americans benefited in a large extent to the cheap labor that the slaves offered.
- References
- Bullet,T. (2004). Slavery in America: a primary source history of the intolerable practice of slavery. New York: The Rose Publishing Group.
- Carnes, J. (1999). Us and Them: a history of intolerance in America. New York: Oxford.
890 Words 3 Pages
