8.7.2
Trace the origins and development
of slavery; its effects on black Americans and on the region's political,
social, religious, economic, and cultural development; and identify the
strategies that were tried to both overturn and preserve it (e.g., through the
writings and historical documents on Nat Turner, Denmark Vesey).
Slavery is a societal institution based on ownership, dominance, and
exploitation of one human being by another. Slavery has appeared almost
universally throughout history among peoples of every level of material culture.
It is not unique to any other particular type of economy. Slaves were valued
primarily as the major work force in production. They were also used for
personal and domestic services. Slavery dated back since the Ancient World in
Egypt around 1570-1085 BC. Then Roman soldiers started capturing war captives
and turning them to slaves. There was also slavery in the Middle Ages, and in
American Colonies. The most known slavery was the African Slave trade. The
African Slave trade was when the Africans were brought to America and bought by
farmers. The farmers would use them for picking cotton and helping them do
things. When the invention of cotton gin was invented, slave populations
increased and so did their prices.
Nobody is sure how slavery was started or where it originated from. Some scientists say
it first came from Egypt where the slaves would help the pharaohs build pyramids
for the dead kings. Other scientist say it could have started when cave men were
alive, but scientists know how the African Slave trade was caused. It was caused
because farmers were too lazy to do their own work and wanted to buy a slave for
a little money so that the slave could do all the work for them. When cotton gin
was invented more slaves were imported and the prices for them boomed.
Black Americans surely did not like slavery. They did not know they were being tricked
into the states for cloth and other goods that were extremely common in America.
When they were lured with cloth and other goods they were packed into boats
until the boats were tight, and then off they go to the New World. Most of the
slaves died on the way to the New World and some got really sick. Bringing the
slaves over caused the population to boom and making slaves overpopulate the
Americans in a decade. Cotton also became the primary good of America. States
were also overpopulated with slaves and some states had slaves that were five
times as much as their population. President Lincoln knew something had to be
done to stop the slaves from coming over and overpopulating them. President
Lincoln decided to pass a law prohibiting more slaves. Farmers did not listen
and the Civil War started.
Nat Turner, a slave that led the deadliest revolt in U.S. history, believed he was
chosen by a vengeful God to achieve retribution and freedom for his race. He
tried to overturn the way blacks were being treated and trying to get through to
white people’s minds that blacks are created equal like them. On August 21, 1831
in Virginia, Nat launched his insurrection with his crew of about 70 slaves.
About 57 whites were killed before the revolt was stopped four days later.
Turner was captured on October 30, tried and executed. Turner’s revolt only made
the rights of blacks stricter.
Denmark Vesey was another person who led a slave revolt and was in Charleston,
South Carolina. He was born in Africa and taken to America as a slave. However,
he purchased his freedom in 1800 for $600 by winning the lottery. As a freeman
in Charleston he worked at carpenter, became a leader in his church, and read
antislavery literature. In 1822 he devised an intricate conspiracy for an
uprising in Charleston and vicinity. Slaves liked his idea and some joined him.
However, in the end, they were all caught and executed.
More Information:
1.
http://www.pearsoncustom.com/database/tocs/rtapdocs.pdf
2.
Grolier Encyclopedia, Turner, Nat
3.
Grolier Encyclopedia, Slavery
4.
Grolier Encyclopedia, Vesey, Denmark