Slavery in America Historical Essay Example

In 1619 brutality would start and devastate many. Over the next 300 years more than 11 million enslaved people were transported across the Atlantic from Africa to America and the West Indies, (national archives)  This would have a massive effect on America going forward creating much discourse and arguing. Slavery in America started in a brutal way,  spread into normalization and was terminated after much suffering.

In America the economy started growing, Europians started to settle there. The wealthy Eruopians needed help on their big estates. This sparked the idea of slavery in the 17th century. slavery is defined as a “condition in which one human being was owned by another. A slave was considered by law as property, or chattel, and was deprived of most of the rights ordinarily held by free persons.” Britannica.

After this idea was popularized, Africans began to be kidnapped from their home and imported to America. Europeans operated slave ships. The people responsible for african slave kidnappings who were west africans had no mercy. Bands of men called slavers would roam east Africa kidnapping good strong men, women and children.

Ghastly another way slaves were brought to America were indentured slaves. These indentured slaves who were ex-criminals were looking for a new start. Most of these slaves would work for ironmaking factories. They would sign a contract promising good hard labor and if their contract ended they would transition into paid roles. (“Indentured Servants”)

Another way slaves were produced was through prisoners of war. According to Sites at Penn State “A prisoner of war is a person captured or placed into detainment by an opposing power as a result of war.” Suprisingly some of these prisoners of war would sell themselves into indentured slavery to escape debts and other consequences. As slaves started to settle into their sad fate in America the start of the normalization of America would begin.

As the demand grew for cheap labor through slaves the slave trade was created this produced two types of slaves. There were two types of slaves. Household slaves who, usually were women, worked at houses and helped mistresses. In this case they would usually clean out fire places, carry water, serve guests and serve water. They would also work on the appearance of the house scrubbing floors and sweeping. (Encyclopedia)

The second type of slave was domestic, “Most lived on large plantations or small farms; many masters owned fewer than 50 enslaved people (History). These domestic slaves grew  tobacco or picked cotton” By the 18th century there were six to seven million slaves in america.

As slavery was normalized laws were put in place for slaves. They counted as three fifths of a person. This was starting to become a troubling time for colored people and it was just the beginning.

Thirty six percent of the slaves in the world were in America. Surprisingly these slaves made up one third of America's population. According to history it says “Slavery itself was never widespread in the North, though many of the region’s businessmen grew rich on the slave trade and investments in southern plantations. Between 1774 and 1804, all of the northern states abolished slavery, but the institution of slavery remained absolutely vital to the South.” This led to many slaves running away and creating villages. Where many small wars would happen between slaves and white slave owners.

As slavery dragged on opionions started to brew on slavery. causing two groups to be formed. One group was the cotton whigs who were in favor of slavery. The other group was the morall ground supporters who were against slavery. During all this chaos election time was coming up. Bringing much discourse to the states. This meant a lot of mobs and many killings. 

In 1880 in virginia slaver was ended after much blood sweat and tears. The act of abolition was the first political peaceful protest in United States history.

On September 22, 1862 the president of the United States signed a document which was called the emancipation proclamation. This document stated that as of January 1, 1863 all states in the confederacy would set their slaves free. This document had little effect on the actual slavery. Although its symbolic effect was enormous. It paved the way for the adversely  abolishment of slavery. Lincoln's words on the emancipation were "It is my greatest and most enduring contribution to the history of the war,”

As all of this was happening political opinions were rising between the north and the south. Leading to heated discourse. After the election of Abraham Lincoln the south secceded on the cause of disagreeing with Lincolns beliefs on slavery and other consertive ideas. So the north proclaimed war on the south. Abrahams words which were "A house divided against itself cannot stand." (Google)  It is still one of the most famous quotes till this day and on these words Lincoln stood. During the war many enslaved people found refuge with the confederate troops and fought with them,  equally showing the mercy of the North. Ending of slavery did not only take a document and politics it took action. Slavery ended in many ways. Including violence and murder, law casses and escaping. 

Although one of the most famous  ways slaves found freedom was the underground railroad. The underground railroad was a string of shelters to help smuggle slaves from the south to the north. The first traces of the underground railroad were in 1831. In this depressing time one of the most famous conductors of the underground railroad was Harriet Tubman. She saved hundreds of slaves and was one of the most successful conductors of the underground railroad.

Let this be a reminder that every man is created equal under the site of God. Slavery started in a brutal way, spread into normalization and was terminated after much suffering thus ending a ghastly time.