Slaves were not respected, nor considered citizens; therefore, absolute rights, i.e. the guarantee of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness were denied to them (Holt & Brown, 2000). African Americans were deemed inferior. Laws were enacted to restrict their behaviors, control, and demean them, simply because of the color of their skin (PBS, n.d.). Slave codes were different for each colony, but all restricted slaves as property and of the black race (Olson-Raymer, 2014).
Some of the legal challenges presented by treating human beings were trying to find the balance between slavery and the law (Finkelman, 2012). There was confusion and a gradual development to the laws. One of the challenges was punishment for flight offenses, which occurred often. The verbiage was unclear as to law because punishment for running away was whippings and added time of service, but slaves had lifelong service, so no time could be added. Similarly, law stated the slave
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No one inherently desires to give up their freedom; as a result, resistance, revolts, and rebellions arise. One common method of resistance that made life difficult was to decrease production by any means as a form of negotiation. Slave owners could and did punish those that resisted; however, the risk of others following suit was great. In this regard, slave owners were forced to somewhat settle. Ironically, the laws that governed slaves as property, rather than people, were used against them. For example, stealing was another form of resistance, but how could slave owners charge property with theft of property? In the eyes of slave owners, anything slaves did that was not controlled by their master was deemed wrong. The strength of African Americans and their will to fight, presented problems as well because they would fight, rebel, and revolt against the slave
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.
Despite the black codes had provided rights such as the marriage legalization and the ownership of property, they violated the free labor principle and denied the African-Americans the right to vote, and sue any white man. Foner (2014) found “In response to planter’s demands that freed people be required to work on the plantations, the Black Codes declared that those who failed to sign yearly labor contracts could be arrested and hired out to white landowners” (p. 570) . In fact, it was a totally failure of what freedom was supposed to be.
4. Slavery in the Americas and Europe was much different than African slavery because Americans and Europeans treated slaves more like animals than humans, which led to racism against blacks. It led to a cruel form of human servitude. While in Africa, slaves were able to marry, build a family, own property, have their own slaves,
After the slaves surrendered, the remaining members of the slaves that rebelled were hung for their crimes. These slaves were made an example to all other slaves, making them not even want to attempt to rebel in the future. This rebellion led to much harsher slave codes that were enforced in the colony. It also restricted the slaves so much that it meant that they could not go anywhere without their owners permission at any time. “The Negro Act of 1740 was passed which prohibited enslaved people from growing their own food, assembling in groups, earning money they, rather than their owners, could retain or learning to read.” (The Black Past.org)
African Americans were deprived of many rights that they should have possessed as citizens, such as voting and having an equal education. The Jim Crow Laws made the African Americans an inferior race in society because these
Slaves in the colonies during the revolution were faced with no real options and little liberty. The slaves’ lot in life varied greatly between individual experiences. Those slave owners who had only a few slaves generally treated their slaves better than those with large numbers of slaves. Even if they were treated well, the slaves had little in the way of freedom. They would be required to work throughout the day at the bidding of their masters and had no recourse to whatever punishment was given at their master’s hands. The slaves also had little hope of ever obtaining freedom for themselves and their children (Pavao, n.d.).
Slavery was a dark time in America’s past. Not only did slavery separate millions of families, it destroyed the white man’s reputation to African people. Many slave owners treated their slaves well, many did not. They forced their slaves to live in deplorable conditions. Malnutrition and overworking often led to death. If you were a slave, would you risk it all and try to run away? You might not have a choice if you wanted to stay alive.
In the same way, the issue of racism was more opposed to people and was more openly abused in the past compare to present. African Americans were mistreated, and were slaved for a long time, and they did not have any rights until the 18th century. In 1865 and 1866 Southern states passed a laws called "black codes" which was meant to limit the rights of black and segregate them from whites; however, during the 1865 African American believed that the process of reconstruction would bring equality. The main object of reconstruction was to help African Americans become equal citizens, but reconstruction failed to help them, because the Southerners were not willing to accept the laws that were placed to give rights to the African Americans.
Unfortunately, prejudice remained with the former slave owners and white people throughout the nation. This prejudice prevented many African Americans from living a normal life. Instead of getting the rights that they had been yearning for their whole lives, they instead faced new discriminatory laws that some states enacted. These laws, called black codes, typically ensured that the African Americans received less power than their white
“Earlier in the century, the legal difference between a slave and a servant was unclear. But now the law began to make sharp distinctions between the two—largely on the basis of race...” This quote clearly shows a shift in the legal definition of a slave to specifically the black race, making the black race synonymous with slavery and inferiority. Although unintentional on part of the upper class, these laws enculturated racism into colonial life, creating a class rift between whites and blacks. However, the incorporation of prejudice and racism developed only after the slave trade was established.
Slaves weren't allowed to work, “Only unskilled jobs”(History Alive 335). Black people were separated from white people. White folks created separate bathrooms, restaurants, and bars for black people.
Life under slavery was harsh, and during the mid-1800s, it was the main way of living in the South. Unlike the North, the South had very few industries, but made up for this with plantations. They then gained wealth by using slavery as they pleased, but under slavery, African- Americans were treated brutally. Under this kind of treatment, slaves made many ways to endure this pain and even sometimes then rebel.
Throughout history, African Americans both free and enslaved were not treated equally nor permitted with the same rights as white men. African Americans were enslaved and not allowed to vote or hold public office. Since the 15th century, African Americans have been treated less than human, some even experienced brutal punished for justifiable mistakes. The use of African American slave labor was an enormous contribution to agriculture and labor. It became a part of southern state’s economy within America. Additionally, African Americans were forced or born into slavery where they endured harsh working conditions with zero pay and often times were punished by their masters. Even slaves that became emancipated or paid for their freedom were also treated differently than whites. Notably, blacks did not have the same privileges as whites and were forced to carry a “freedom card” wherever they went. Failing to do so would lead to severe consequences, such as being forced back into slavery. Once African Americans were considered free, they faced additional discriminations such as not being able to vote or serve as a figure in public office. Due to this and additional factors, African Americans were almost entirely incapable of defending themselves against whites. Since the start of the 17th century, African Americans, free and enslaved were punished for their skin color and were considered the lowest scale by not being allowed to the same opportunities and rights and white men.
African American slave families were faced with hardships that white families simply did not have to consider. Most notably, the African American slave family had to constantly deal with the fact that their family was subject to change. They could not reasonably plan for the future since they had no way of knowing how long they would be likely to remain on a particular property. Moreover, the family itself did not hold any autonomy with regard to maintaining the family.
American history clearly demonstrated that slaves were never treated fairly, since they were first brought to the colonies in 1619 they have not had any rights. They were mistreated, misheard and misrepresent every second of their life. Slaves were treated less than a human, in fact they were treated like criminals even though most never committed a crime. The law stated that they were just property and that their owner held complete authority over them. Therefore very few slaves were able to become freeman or freewoman and able