Race is referred to as a group of people united based on common history, nationality and geographic distribution for instance the Africans and the Whites. The whites and Negros differed because they had different colors. The whites viewed themselves as more superior than Negros. This led to emergence of historians with different arguments on how the whites did treat the Negros. For instance, Roderick Ferguson, Walter Johnson and Pamela Perry were among the history scholars who came up with different discussions because of race. This paper seeks to present a detailed discussion about race in America before 20th century incorporating different primary sources to support our thesis.
Notably, Walter Johnson based his argument on slavery. He argued that slave market reduced humans into commodities with prices. By this, he was referring to antebellum slaves market
...where slaves were viewed as commodities hence being deprived their rights as humans. On the other hand, Roderick Ferguson focused on race. He based his argument on the social heterogeneity of African American culture where the Africans were seen as inferior. Pamela Perry focused on white. His argument was based on color. The white people were said to be the dominant group.
The above primary source largely support and challenge Roderick Ferguson, Walter Johnson and Pamela Perry argument on slave trade for instance the link This link explains how slaves were acquired in African continent and transported on ship to other countries in this case in America. It concentrates on Atlantic slave trade. The main cause of the trade was the colonies that European countries were starting to develop. For instance, in America, which was a colony of England there was demand
for many laborers in the plantations and the paid laborers, were too expensive so they sought cheap source of labor in Africa. It is a link which supports Walter Johnson argument in that the slaves were been purchased in terms of prices. The slaves were the black people from Africa. They were viewed as inferior by the whites therefore they were subjected to work as laborers in American plantations. This supports Pamela Perry’s argument on color. The slaves were from one nationality that is in Africa therefore supporting Roderick A. Fergusons argument on race.
This article explains the life of Frederick Douglass who was an America slave. His mother been of dark complexion was subjected to work as a slave. His father was a white who separated with his mother just because of difference in race and color. The whites acted as the masters and they were cruel to the slaves. The slaves were expected to work all day, failure to they were whipped and given other punishments.Planting, harvesting, taking care of the masters, and preparing land for cultivation was the work of the slaves.
The primary sources above and the arguments of the critics show that there was racial segregation before 20th century in America. This period is characterized by slavery and colonization of African continent. Different European countries became interested in African continent. Therefore they began to secure for a sphere of influence in Africa. IN the mid-19th century the scientific debates over race had also entered the mainstream culture and served to justify slavery and mistreatment. The 19th century also marked a period of radicalization not just African Americans but also native Americans and
Chinese Americans. This served an economic and political purpose. For instance African slavery provided free labor and added political clout for slaveholding states in the south
In conclusion, after the end of the American civil war a law was passed to end slavery. For the first time black Americas were legally free. Further legislation followed soon after to make it illegal for people to be denied the vote or discriminated against because of the color of their skin. Despite these good intentions back Americans still faced hostility because most white Americans the question of equal rights for the black Americans simply did not arise.
Bibliography
- Anemone, robert l. rice and human diversity. n.d.
- Ferguson. race. america: oxford press, 2005.
- L.anemone, robert. rice and human diversity. 2015.
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