Topic: How did economic, geographic, and social factors encourage the growth of slavery as an important part of the economy of the southern colonies between 1607 and 1775? The introduction of Africans to America in 1619 set off an irreversible chain of events that effected the economy of the southern colonies. With a switch from the expensive system of indentured servitude, slavery emerged and grew rapidly for various reasons, consisting of economic, geographic, and social factors. The expansion of slavery in the southern colonies, from the founding of Jamestown in 1607 to just before America gained its independence in 1775, had a lasting impact on the development of our nation’s economy, due to the fact that slaves were easy to obtain, provided a life-long workforce, and were a different race than the colonists, making it easier to justify the immoral act. Economically, slavery allowed for an increased source of income that indentured servitude could not compete with. Shortly following the founding of Jamestown, indentured servants paid their way to the colonies with the promise of a designated time of labor upon arrival. Soon this need for cheap labor was replaced with a need for even cheaper labor. Slavery filled this need, but when Africans arrived to America in 1619, the colonists initially treated them as indentured servants. It was not until 1641 that the first slave codes were passed in the colony of Massachusetts and 20 years later in Virginia, marking the
The slave trade in the North American colonies began to grow in the 1600s. The African slave trade sourced their slaves from many different West African villages and countries. The business of slavery was a growing and profitable field, not only for the slavers, but also for the slaveholders. With the decrease of indentured servants, settlers in the English colonies looked for a new source of labor to satisfy their growing labor demands. The next source was Africa. “By the 1690s slaves outnumbered indentured servants four to one” (45). Europeans largely disregarded the ethical dilemma posed by slavery due to the European view of Africans and their culture as uncivilized, foreign, and heathen (44). The largest forced migration in history (44)
Economic, social, and cultural factors all played roles in the expansion of slavery in America. Economically, Africans became free laborers by substituting the position of indentured servants and Native Americans. Socially, blacks were considered outcasts and was treated as property instead of human beings. Culturally, slaves were discriminated against because of their skin and were treated dishonorably wrong. This concludes that "prejudice itself did not create American slavery." (Foner 132,
Between 1800 and 1865, slaves lived in the Southern States and worked in the tobacco, wheat, rice, corn and cotton plantations. Essentially, slavery was an economic institution with far-reaching benefits to slaveholders, since the value of slave labor was considerably more than the cost of their maintenance. Demands for democratization, respect for human dignity and American Civil War presented a major turning point in the institution of slavery as farmers turned to lesser labor-intensive production methods such as the use of Eli Whitney 's Cotton Gin. This paper analyzes different ways in which institution of Slavery affected the development of American South between 1800 & 1865, and the lives of people living in the region. In doing so the paper considers economic, political, social and cultural implications of the institution.
Slavery was a disgraceful part of our history for many years. Its start grew from a need for a labor source in the new and growing America. The Southern economy thrived from slave labor whereas the North did not rely on the labor of slaves. This paper will prove that slavery failed in the North because in the North there was no need for large labor to support the economic structure compared to the South where slavery was needed to support their economy. There are three main points that will be used to support this. They are; Northern industry and Southern industry were very different, the slave population was smaller in the North because of the different economy in the North, and the smaller slave population and less
It was important for the economy to continue to compete and thrive. Slavery was
Prompt:The labor system of slavery transformed the South during the eighteenth century. Discuss the impact of slavery on the economy of the South, as well as its impact on southern society and politics.
2.Why did allowing slavery to continue and even expand seem important to legislators in the late eighteenth century?
In 1619, America’s first slaves arrived in Jamestown, Virginia to assist English colonists with the production of tobacco. These slaves were brought to the New World by Dutch traders, who ultimately planted the foul seeds of slavery in American soil. Quickly, slavery would spread like weeds throughout the colonies, and became significantly important to the South. According to the Constitutional Rights Foundation, “Before the Civil War, nearly 4 million black slaves toiled in the American South.” However, during the late 1800s, many American citizens began to contemplate the mortality of slavery, thereby causing the states to divide. Although the North was for the abolition of slavery, the South defended it wholeheartedly. Be that as it may, the white South used economic, political, social, and ideological reasons to defend the peculiar institution of slavery.
In 1619, the first “Negars” arrived in Jamestown Virginia. There were twenty of them, and their purpose was to grow tobacco. Because there were no laws at this time, these people were considered ‘“servants’.” As we know now looking back at history, slavery was slavery (Countryman, 3). From the beginning to the end, slavery had a large impact on colonial America, in growth and even in the beginning of the American Revolution. Without the existence of slavery, the dynamics and the growth of America would have been totally different.
The slavery issue is a subject that continues to be discussed today, and for most Americans, the main reason that launched the civil war. Both authors agree that slavery was morally wrong and it almost brought the Union to its knees and the destruction of it. However, both authors have very distinct thoughts and reasons for it. While Stanley Elkins’ Slavery has a more personal and opinionated account, James McPherson’s interpretation in Ordeal by Fire is based on facts. McPherson employs the use of graphics and charts to illustrate and quantify the findings about slavery and his book. James McPherson bases his writings on the economic factors that made slavery the main force for prosperity for the American South. Cotton production had become the main source of income for the US from 1815 to 1860 . The Southern States’ economy was growing but they were, for the most part, reluctant to the ideas of modernization. The slave states valued tradition and stability more than change and progress. They responded with distaste to the Northern States competitive views and progress and their view of how America should be in the future.
The African-American slaves existed until the eighteenth century, which they were the first ones to develop the economic foundations of our country. Later, the invention of the cotton gin in 1793, which this solidified the importance of the slavery for the South’s economy. By the mid-nineteenth century, which was the expansion westward, the North would provoke a great debate against slavery. After the Civil War, the victory of our country freed four million slaves. By the
It is considered common knowledge that when slavery is mentioned that cotton was the primary cash crop however, it is uncommonly known how vital it was to the world’s economy and resources. Settlers in North America produced this cash crop on large scale by turning to African slaves. The reason slaves were used was because the slaves were much cheaper as a means of labor as well as other functions too. Many business men use the desirability of slaves and grew rich in the slave trade. Some big portions of the economy were directly influenced by slaves, which made them more than just a source of cheaper labor compared to indentured servants.
The American Industrial Revolution (1820-1870) was responsible for a significant growth to the American economy. This economic growth, translated into material prosperity for early white American settlers, who owned farms because, the demand for their products increased exponentially. However, this demand resulted in a negative consequence in America society that saw expansion of domestic slave trade. The domestic slave trade expanded after the American government abolished the African slavery not only because, white American settler’s needed slaves to produce cotton, and sugar, but domestic slavery became a profitable business.
The history of the United States before the Civil War is not only a history of democracy, freedom, and constitutional rule, but also one of slavery. By the time colonial America started buying and selling captured Africans, black slavery had become an institution in the Spanish and Portuguese colonies in South America and the Caribbean islands. The discovery of raw sugar and rum in the Caribbean created a lucrative opportunity for the Spanish and Portuguese, but they needed people to do the work. With such little population and difficulty enslaving the natives, the Portuguese found it easier and beneficial to enslave African slaves. The use of mass slave labor enabled Spain and Portugal to benefit without having to pay workers. With established slave labor proving to be economical in these nearby areas, it seemed far easier to also enslave blacks in America as well. Although America was able to profit greatly from the unregulated slave trade, we must ask: At what cost? The moral injustice it brought on African slaves outweighs all of the economic gains and advancements made by America.
When it comes to the societal aspect of the country of Qatar, its residents have been divided into three different groups. the Hadar, Bedouin, and Abd. The Bedouin group can actually trace their descent back from the nomads of the arabian peninsula, where the Hadar groups ancestors were settled town dwellers. Although these individuals are of separate societal groups, some of the Hadar are descendants of the Bedouin group. Most of these residents descend from migrants from the present-day Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan and are occasionally referred to as ‘Irani-Qataris.’ The Abd group also known as Alabd formally, the literal translation of this group name means “slaves.” These individuals are descendants of slaves brought from east africa many years ago. Every member of each of these Qatari groups have the right to a non-challenged citizenship. Although they are free to live a good life in Qatar; their sociocultural differences among all of them do not go unnoticed, and are recognized and acknowledged on a day to day basis.