Similarities Between William Bradford And Mary Rowlandson

Narratives about captivity have often intrigued readers in Western culture. Mary Rowlandson and Olaudah Equiano’s stories helped pave the way for stereotypes within both European and white culture; teaching Europeans to see Native Americans as cruel and allowing whites to see the evil in the American slave market. In both “A Narrative of the Captivity” and “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano,” Mary Rowlandson and Olaudah Equiano share their individual stories of being kidnapped and enslaved. Though the two narrators share similarities in their personal accounts of being held captive, either individual’s reaction sheds light on the true purpose of both Rowlandson and Equiano’s writing.

Those that came here seeking a better life and a better economic future were often met with troubles from the start. Many couldn’t afford the trip over so were contracted to act as servants for a number of years. Once the contract is completed, they were free to do as they wished. There were also those that were brought here against their will as slaves. These were prominently Africans that were bought and sold through along trade routes. There was an estimate of about 700,000 slaves in the colonies by 1790. There were convicts that England sent over that they could no longer afford to house or willing to keep (History.com Staff,

While the black slaves had been torn from their culture and their land. Not only were they forced into a situation where everything was different, but they were torn from their families. They colonist even had a system that was both Psychological and Physical to try and discipline the slaves. The slaves rarely submitted willingly.

Religion had a powerful impact on Puritans lives. Many Puritan people had faith in a supreme being, God, and the teachings of his Divine Son, Jesus Christ. They’d assume that if you weren’t a good Christian they would suffer in hell, but if you were one would be saved by god. An example would be in the sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” the speaker strongly describes about how being a bad Christian has its consequences and the good things that come of being a good Christian. “Many that were very lately in the same miserable condition that you are in are now in a happy state, with their hearts filled with love to him who has loved them, and washed them from their sins in his own blood, and rejoicing in hope of the glory of God.”(152)This explains how they had a strong feeling towards god’s ways. By being concerned about their religious life and being good Christians.

In America, the lives of Africans did not get any easier. Once the demand for labor began increasing dramatically, more and more Africans were imported to America. Originally, white people and black people worked together in the plantations. As a result of the increase in Africans in these British colonies, less white people took jobs on plantations. Eventually, enslavement became based on race. Numerous slave codes were developed, which included denying slaves the right to be out past sunset and denying slaves the right to meet in groups of three or more. These Africans forced to live enslaved in America were treated as if they were inferior to white people. It is discouraging to think about the fact that this country, though it was long ago, once accepted this kind of social injustice.

A second reason for the religious prevalence in Colonial America was the evil that people faced. “The providence of God was ‘wonder-working’ in making manifest the reach of his sovereignty; such acts of ‘special providence’ represented God’s clearer and more explicit than usual intervention into the affairs of man. But he was not alone in having supernatural power. The events

The African-American people have suffered great hardships since slavery. During the 15 and 19th century many Africans were taken and forced into slavery. Some slaves

He notes that, the slavery institution made them forget about their origin, and anything else that entails their past, and even when they were born. The slaves forgot everything about their families, and none knew about their family because, they were torn from them without any warning. Douglass explains how they went without food, clothing and even sleep because their masters were cruel to them. American slavery took advantage of black laborers as they were beaten mercilessly without committing any offense. They were not treated as human beings, but as property that could be manipulated in any way. The slavery institution was harsh for the Africans especially women who were regularly raped, and forced to bear their masters children and if they declined, they were maimed or killed.

The literature in the Colonial times was heavily focused on the people's belief in God and his rule over humans. They viewed God as a kind sympathetic God that could turn ruthless at any misbehavior. God is portrayed almost like a person in the fact that he has his moods and can be kind or angry when provoked.

Slavery in America was a horrific time period that negatively affected African Americans, and still affect some to this day. Africans were kidnapped from their homes, brought overseas in an inhuman effort, tortured, beaten, and forced to work long grueling hours for no pay. Because of the color of their skin they were considered worthless, and they were also considered as property. Whites did not recognize African Americans as human beings, and

The slaves were treated absolutely malevolently by the Europeans without any respect or thought towards them. Often without hesitation, the men tortured and abused the slaves. For example, commanders often cut off the legs and arms of defiant slaves to prevent them for trying to rebel, as well as to terrify the rest of the slaves, as shown by Document 2. It is truly terrible that people felt that it was necessary to sever the limbs of the poor slaves. The ones that had to suffer this were ultimately disadvantaged for the rest of their lives because of this. In Document 3, it was discussed that the slaves had to suffer terrible conditions such as small, cramped areas with barely enough room to breathe. It also said in Document 4 that many of

People believed they could do no wrong and that they did everything perfect. Even though that may not be true their thinking is of God's will and what he wanted for them. They cared for the ill on the ship even when the sailors would not care for the Puritans. They set a goal to helped people and did right by God because that was God's will. This was their mind set for life and it never changed. This is a good example of why they believed in god's will so much. He was their lord and savior and nothing could change that in their minds. God made the decisions in their

Slavery is a stain in the history of the United States that will always be particularly remembered for the cruelty it exhibited. Up until 1865 slaves were imported in shiploads and treated as if they were merely cattle. On the farms slaves were given no mercy and had to work long, arduous days for nothing. Additionally they were often subject to cruel overseers who would beat and whip them on a regular basis. As brutal and destructive as the institution of slavery was, slaves were not defenseless victims. Through their families, and religion, as well as more direct forms of resistance, Africans-Americans resisted the debilitating effects of slavery and created a vital culture supportive of human dignity.

The way slaves were treated during our journey from Africa to America. They were treated very poor and bad. If people sit down and really read what happen to the people who were treated as slaves. Its so sad what people had to go through during slavery. They were force to leave their familes. Some had to go through a lot during slavery. They were force to leave their familes for a long time and probably never came back. They were kill and also force to do things the rich people wanted them to do.

During the Pre Civil War Era (1840’s), slavery of African American people was already existed. Throughout the country the concept of slavery was widespread to every state, but primarily slavery was located in the South. They were enslaved on farms, large plantation, inside homes, out in the fields, industry, transportation. These people are considered as a property, they were forced to be slaves because they were black. These slaves were forced to be property using violence and threat. The most common threat is that the slaves will be separated from their family, murdered or even put into an auction. Slaves were often followed by the constant fear of being sold to other masters. Majority of slaves in South worked and lived in cotton plantation where it employs number of slaves, possible hundred. The master didn’t provide decent bedding and clothing, they usually sleep in a barn that was non resistance to bad weather condition and diseases. The slaves that worked in plantation are easily prone to sickness due to the blistering heat, unsanitary condition, insufficient nutrition, lack of rest since they were constantly forced to work even when they are