The Role Of Slavery In Colonial America

The origins and development of slavery in Britain’s North American colonies during the colonial period can be traced down to the fact that North American colonies were created for the economic profit of Great Britain. Reasons for the development of slavery in the North American colonies can be the switch to slavery from indentured servitude due to the desire of free labor and the results of Bacon’s rebellion, the introduction of cash crops such as sugar and tobacco and the introduction of the plantation system, and the easy access of slaves due to the triangular trade and the middle passage.

Slavery was created in pre-revolutionary America at the start of the seventeenth century. By the time of the Revolution, slavery had undergone drastic changes and was nothing at all what it was like when it was started. In fact the beginning of slavery did not even start with the enslavement of African Americans. Not only did the people who were enslaved change, but the treatment of slaves and the culture that each generation lived in, changed as well.

In 1619, Virginia was an isolated British settlement on the Chesapeake Bay. It was sparsely populated by men trying to make the colony profitable for England. But the colonists were devastated by hunger, disease, and raids by Native Americans. So when the White Lion, a badly damaged Dutch slave ship arrived, carrying 20 kidnapped black Africans, the colonists bartered food and services for the human cargo. The Africans started working for the colonists. They would work 7 years of hard labor in exchange for land and freedom. But when colonies started to prosper, the colonists were reluctant to lose their labor. Since the Africans did not have citizenship, they were not subject to English common law. They were workers with no rights.

Slavery was a very divided issue in early American history. It was the backbone of the southern economy and lifestyle, but also a immoral way to treat people that was contradictory to ideals which America liberated itself upon. Slavery continued to expand because of new economic growth, but many slaves were also freed from their bondage during this time because of religion and the new ideologies that America gained in becoming a country. Most slaves responded to these hardships hardship through active and passive resistance, whereas free African Americans became more outspoken and formed communities in response.

Slavery was a harsh system that consisted of forcing other human beings to work in harsh conditions; as well as restrict their freedom to the point where they had none. Slavery was first introduced into Colonial America in 1619, and lasted for 245 years. During those 245 years, slavery harshly affected those who were involved in its system. The institution of slavery has profoundly influenced and shaped multiple aspects of Colonial America and the United States. Slavery influenced the 13 Colonies and the U.S. by the growth in sales for Cotton, and farming. Slavery shaped Colonial America and the United States culturally, by proving to the slaves that white people were far more superior than African Americans, religion and Cult of Domesticity. Lastly slavery shaped Colonial America and the United States politically by causing rebellions, and abolitionism.

The earliest signs of human bondage can be found in Ancient Rome where slaves were used for a large array of professions. Likewise, the slavery found in colonial North America had slaves included in every facet of the region’s economy. Colonial North America quickly grew dependent on African race-based slavery as the backbone to its economy. The first African Americans arrived to the New World near the coast of Jamestown in 1619 in the Chesapeake region (Clark-Pujara, 9/19). It was the first region to establish a society with slaves. One could say that African race-based slavery in the Chesapeake region developed because of the region’s economic dependence on tobacco production, scarcity of white indentured servants, increasing longevity for African Americans in the New World, and colonists establishing slave laws and codes.

Throughout history slavery has played a major role on our country. It has shaped culture, racism, and our country coming together as a whole. In the upcoming paragraphs I will describe their journey to the new world and harsh trip throughout the middle passage. Also, I will explain in detail about how their knowledge helped southern colonies grow and succeed.

Slave Laws of Colonies in Colonial America Slavery was a very prominent and profitable enterprise during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in colonial America. Many colonies in America, and empires in Europe, used slavery to maximize their profits while growing crops and executing business. Due to its immense profitability, many colonies tried their hardest to perpetuate the slave industry. The ways in which they kept slavery functioning differed depending on location, but for the most part, most colonies attempted to write slavery into their legal code. This was a very effective means of ensuring the continuation of slavery and allowed it to last for several centuries.

Farming, sewing, and taking care of livestock were just a few responsibilities that were left to slaves during the 1600 's. White families received all of the benefits from the work done, yet they rarely had to lift a finger, unless it was to correct a slave. Today 's generation reads about slavery and regards it as morally wrong. While I agree that slavery was one of America 's greatest wrongdoings, it paved the way for America as we know it today.

Slavery and servitude played an important role in the growth and development of North American colonies politically, socially and economically. The European colonists used several types of coerced labor in building colonial societies including Native American Indians, Indentured Servants, and African slaves. As time progressed, the European colonists developed additional colonies and began to mass produce crops such as Tobacco, Cotton, Sugar and Rice increasing the need for slavery and coerced labor. For the white plantation owners in the South, socio-economic status was based on the amount of land and slaves one had within the colonies. As the nation began to unite as one, we see the political climate shift towards abolishing slavery and recognizing African Americans as citizens. For over 150 years, slavery and servitude would play a vital role in shaping our society in terms of defining the American economy as well as the political and social climate that is still present today.

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

Slavery is often thought of as a Southern Institution, which is not true. All of America, and in fact the whole hemisphere was part of the dark and regrettable history.

In the 1850s economic and social developments were being made in both the South and North resulting in both sides not truly understanding one another. The primary example of this dealt with the predicament of slavery. The North’s massive transition to industrialization with the assistance of power operated machines, such as steam engines and trains resulted in a large economic and social transformation. On the other hand, the South still possessed an agrarian mindset with the use of slavery to mass produce crops. Due to this alternate economic development the slavery is not necessary in the North and many people begin to support abolitionism. Even though the North does want slavery to come to an end, they do not take into consideration blacks possessing the same rights as other Caucasians, primary because their economic development is not based on slavery.

The United States of America’s history is extensive and full of social and political issues. One word dominates the character of the country: liberty. The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor symbolizes the first glimpse immigrants will get of America. Patrick Henry’s quote, “give me liberty or give me death!” is a constantly-cited piece from the eve of the American Revolution. In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson and the other signers insist upon “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. Liberty is something everyone wants, and America is often said to be rooted in this concept. The word has a flexible definition; as times changed, the definition changed, and it had a special meaning to those living in the time of slavery

Slavery is remembered as an inhumane institution of the southern states that would later secede from the Union. This is a one sided view as an unfortunate detour on the nation's advancement to modernity, and certainly not the “engine” of American economic prosperity. Such revelations are hardly surprising in light of slavery’s role in sparking the nation’s economic development. America's "take-off" in the 19th century wasn't despite of slavery; it was largely thanks to it. And Beckert and Rockman mention recent research in economic history that emphasizes “the role that commodified human beings played in the emergence of modern capitalism itself” (Beckert and Rockman).