Slavery During The American Revolution

Edmund S. Morgan has presented an interesting question regarding the question of the colonists' treatment of slavery as a special circumstance, one that is separate from freedom. The promotion of freedom by the Virginia settlers to their own kind, but not to those whose skin was a darker shade, exhibits the tough judgment calls that had to be made to help the colony survive. There seemed to be a more prevalent concern among the upper class of Virginian settlers: poor freedmen, and their possible uprising against the ruling class. Slavery became an idea that made the most sense and the best match for the Virginia colonists' situation. This does not mean slavery

With the mistreatment of slaves and the conditions they had to undergo, many responded violently in hopes of freedom or a better life than the one they were given. Indentured servants would sign a contract, ultimately signing away their freedom to work for four to seven years to pay passage to the colonies while slaves were forcefully taken from their homes in Africa to provide the colonist with a form of cheap labor so that the colonist could keep their farms producing enough food for them to survive. The lives of indentured servants and African slaves were not that different in the way that they were both horribly mistreated and punished for their disobedience.

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)

According to History for kids, “Slaves were not allowed to vote, hold a political office or claim any legal rights.” Even though all slaves at the time were unable to vote anywhere, it still did not give slaves many rights which is being treated unfairly. Also research from History for Kids, “ A slave could either be freed by his or her master in return of services rendered or he or she could buy their freedom from their own earnings.” Some slaves could be freed, but most slaves were poor, and their masters usually would not treat them

This report gives a broad overview of Slavery during the construction of the New World and England’s Industrial Revolution. We will explore the manner in which slaves were treated, how they worked and lived, methods of their capture and transportation to the New World and their aspect of life in ‘captivity’.

American slavery was something that not only mentally challenging, but it was physically demanding as well. Many slaves did not have the luxury of a “kind” master, and many were mistreatment from birth. Slaves fought masters, and master fought slaves without regard to the human condition. Antebellum slavery was different than past form of American slavery, because slaves had gained a taste of the ideas that were spread from the American Revolution. These idea played a big role in slaves wanting freedom, and doing anything to get it. Antebellum slavery, if it were defined in three simple words, would be categorized as; misleading, ruthless, and resistance. I have chosen these three words, because the give the essence of antebellum slavery, and show the underlying theme of the time period.

During the revolutionary war, slaves were still treated as slaves, but were promised freedom in case of victory of the side they fought on either British or Colonial. Colonists also promised a salary and British promised them land and self-government. If I had been a slave in that time I would probably choose the Colonial side because they promised freedom to slaves, just as British did, but it also would be my motherland.

A slave is a person owned by another, who they often refer to as master. The “master” controls where they live, whether they eat or not, and where they work. Slaves were property and they forced to complete tasks for no compensation. Slavery was existent for hundreds of years before the abolition. During the American Revolution, many of the supporters of the revolution were slave owners. Who would have ever thought that the people who fought and died for our freedom would be the ones to hold people captive and against their will.

Slavery had been a major component of the economy in eastern and southeastern regions of the state since the seventeenth century. However, slavery did not come to West-Central New York until the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries (DeAmicis 2003:3). During the seventeenth and first half of the eighteenth century, the Dutch had acquired the land now included in New York State from the Native Americans living in the region. Slavery was first brought to this area in 1625 when the Dutch imported eleven slaves to construct roads, buildings, and other infrastructure in New Amsterdam, a settlement on Manhattan Island (Harris 2003:14). Because the colony was not being settled very quickly, the enslaved were not subject to the strict rules

Indentured servants and slaves had different expectations of life in the colonies. The indentured servants, having knowingly entered into contracts to work off their fare to the New World in order to avoid jail or poverty knew what to expect. They expected to work as blacksmiths, planters, etc. for a fixed number of years and eventually earn their freedom. Abducted and sold into slavery, the African slaves were familiar with

While slavery was a horrific thing that led to the mistreatment of millions of black people, it had the power to last for centuries. When looking closely at historical accounts it becomes easier to see why this horrible practice was able to sustain for so long. One of the reasons was because the economy of Colonial America relied heavily on the labor of slaves. Farming, the slave trade itself, and the harsh treatment of slaves were all driven by the greed of slave owners. Another reason that slavery lasted so long was racism. During this time, the black population was considered inferior to the white population. This helped to promote the cruel behaviors that occurred in slavery. Lastly, many whites actually felt that the slaves were treated

American slavery was something that was not only mentally challenging, but it was physically demanding as well. Many slaves did not have the luxury of a “kind” master, and many were mistreatment from birth. Slaves fought masters, and master fought slaves without regard to the human condition. Antebellum slavery was different than past forms of American slavery, because slaves had gained a taste of the ideas that were spread from the American Revolution. These idea played a big role in slaves wanting freedom, and doing anything to get it. Antebellum slavery, if it were defined in three simple words, would be categorized as; misleading, ruthless, and resistance. I have chosen these three words, because they give the essence of antebellum slavery, and show the underlying theme of the time period.

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

Haitian Revolution is one of the most successful slave revolts in the History of African Slavery. The slaves in this territory didn 't just free their lives from slavery but they also had taken away control of French colony which was known at time as Saint Dominigue. Saint Domingue was the top sugar producing island at this time thanks to slave labor. Slaves were the reason why the French Colony was so prosperous in the first place. At this time Saint Domingue soon to be Haiti was the top producer in creating sugar.

Slaves’ status went from bad to worse as the Colonies grew richer. Slaves received no wages, had no legal rights and were not allowed to marry nor to move out (pg. 85). As stated in document “Maryland Addresses the Status of Slaves,” the Maryland Slave Law of 1664 established that slaves shall endure in hard labor for life. Furthermore, it stated that all children from slaves shall be slaves and should obey as their parents for their lifetime. Equally important is the Negro Act of 1705 that asserted that slaves that would try to escape could be tortured or even dismembered (pg. 87).