Slavery Effects on North America Essay Example

they encountered a major challenge because growing tobacco required a substantial amount of labor, which was scarce among the colonists. The availability of land exceeded the number of workers available to tend to it, making it challenging for tobacco growers to find an adequate workforce. Consequentially, there was a growing demand for more laborers; however, fewer indentured servants were coming to America due to perceived high costs associated with their journey. Despite this decline in indentured servants migrating, the need for labor continued to increase.

The planters sought a cheap and abundant source of labor, ultimately turning to slavery as the solution. Initially, they viewed Native Americans as potential slaves due to their large numbers and disruptive behavior towards the colonists. However, Native Americans were deemed unsuitable as slaves because they were vulnerable to diseases, rebellious, and capable of escaping to Florida or blending in with the native population. Consequently, Indian captives were often shipped to New York, Boston, and the West Indies while enslaved Africans were imported to work in the Carolinas. Africans were deemed more suitable laborers as they were resilient, immune to many illnesses, and had limited opportunities for escape in America. Furthermore, Bacon's Rebellion in 1676 played a significant role in the growth of slavery. The rebellion, led by Nathaniel Bacon, united indentured servants, small farmers, and a few slaves against Virginia's wealthy planters and political leaders. The rebellion resulted in the burning of Jamestown, instilling fear in the ruling class. In response to the actions of indentured servants, planters began transitioning from indentured servitude to African slavery. By the second half of the 17th century, slavery had firmly established itself in

America, particularly in the southern region.The influence of the Enlightenment era extended to political systems and the writing of constitutions, resulting in the establishment of laws and an increasing prevalence. Additionally, a number of colonies took steps to legalize slavery.

In 1641, Massachusetts Colony became the first colony to officially recognize chattel slavery with the drafting of the "Body of liberties." The document specified that slavery would only be lawful in certain cases, such as captives taken in just wars or individuals who willingly sold themselves or were sold. This influential move prompted other colonies, including Virginia, to implement similar laws. Virginia played a significant role in shaping future slave codes through new legislation. In 1661, they established the fugitive slave act, formally acknowledging slavery. Then, on December 12, 1662, Virginia passed a law stating that children born to an Englishman and a Negro woman would inherit their mother's condition of bondage or freedom. Unfortunately, this meant that offspring resulting from rape by slave masters faced no consequences and were forced into enslavement. The transformation towards African slavery was solidified in 1705 when the Virginia assembly passed slave laws categorizing all non-Christian imported servants as slaves. These laws granted masters complete authority over their slaves' lives and allowed them to punish or even kill without facing any repercussions. This acceptance stemmed from two factors: firstly, slaves lacked funds to pay fines imposed upon them; secondly, individuals of African descent (including slaves) were deemed inferior to Europeans or whites making any punishment less significant for them such as being whipped.

Under the 1705 slave codes in Virginia, numerous regulations were imposed on slaves. These included the requirement for

written authorization to leave their plantation and severe punishments for crimes committed. Specifically, slaves found guilty of murder or rape would be executed by hanging. Those who committed robbery or other serious offenses would receive sixty lashes and be confined in stocks, in addition to having their ears severed. Minor transgressions, such as associating with white individuals, resulted in whipping, branding, or mutilation. Prior to the introduction of the 1705 code, slaves had the opportunity to seek resolution through legal proceedings.

Although Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence proclaimed the equality and fundamental rights of all men, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, slavery in the United States persisted and expanded without restraint during colonial times. Slaveholders possessed absolute authority to inflict punishments on slaves without any repercussions, including death.

Samuel Johnson's response to the declaration of independence raised an important question about why slave owners were advocating for liberty. This inconsistency highlighted the paradox of freedom and slavery in America, where there were around 500,000 slaves primarily concentrated in the south. However, slavery took a different path in the north, where certain colonies had economies that did not rely on enslavement.

The Quakers, also known as the Society of Friends, prohibited their members from owning slaves in the same year as the declaration. Vermont became the first colony to abolish slavery and grant freedom to all adult males in 1777. Shortly after, New York granted voting rights to all free men with property regardless of race or previous servitude.

By 1780, Delaware made African enslavement illegal while Pennsylvania gradually freed enslaved individuals and Massachusetts included a clause in its constitution guaranteeing liberty to all men regardless

of race. The American Revolution ended with the Treaty of Paris officially recognizing the United States in 1783; during this time approximately 5,000 black Americans fought for independence.

Unfortunately, by the Constitutional Convention held in 1787, slavery had become an unfortunate reality. According to data from the 1790 census, there were 694,280 slaves residing within United States territory making up about 17.8% of its population.During the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia from May 14 to September 17, 1787, the establishment of the Constitution was the main focus. Within this convention, slavery became a major topic of discussion that had an impact on economic and political decisions. Virginia held the highest number of slaves, reaching up to 292,627, while Vermont did not have any.

The convention saw extensive discussions on the topic of slavery. While many delegates from the North disagreed with slavery, they believed it was necessary to tolerate it in order to form a union. In contrast, Southern politicians and planters insisted that they would only agree to a constitution that permitted slavery, as they saw it as essential for their region's economy. One key point of contention centered around the representation and counting of slaves, who constituted a significant portion of the Southern population. Northern delegates opposed including slaves in population counts as it would afford the South greater power in the Senate.

Both southerners and slave states stressed the significance of counting slaves for political purposes, even going as far as to threaten secession unless their demand was met. Delegate James Wilson proposed the three-fifths compromise as a solution that satisfied both sides. This compromise stated that representatives and direct taxes would be allocated among states

based on their respective populations, which included three-fifths of all other persons (free or bound), excluding untaxed Indians. Although this compromise acknowledged slaves as three-fifths of a person for population and taxation, they were still regarded as property rather than full citizens. The issue of the slave trade also sparked controversy, with some advocating for its abolition while others feared losing states due to this matter. Ultimately, it was decided to postpone addressing this issue until January 1, 1808, allowing rapid growth in the newly formed United States.

The issue of slavery in the newly acquired northwest territories sparked much debate. However, on June 13, 1787, the US Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 to address this matter. Act 6 of the ordinance stipulated that there shall be no slavery or involuntary servitude in said territory, except as punishment for crimes with a valid conviction. It also permitted the lawful reclamation and return of fugitives who escaped labor or service in one of the original states to their owners.

This particular clause garnered support from both anti-slavery individuals and southern planters aiming to avoid competition in tobacco production. As a significant legislative act, the Northwest Ordinance established a precedent for future land policies and effectively banned slavery north of the Ohio River between the Appalachians and Mississippi River.

During this period, it seemed that slavery was losing momentum due to various factors such as the recently concluded American Revolution and an increasing acceptance of principles like life, liberty, and prosperity. Many states were adopting gradual emancipation as part of their trajectory.

In 1793, the cotton gin was invented by Eli Whitney, which revolutionized the processing of cotton. This

device efficiently separated cotton fibers from seeds, leading to a surge in cotton production and profitability in the industry. As a result, numerous large plantations emerged in the southern region and textile mills were established due to increased output of cotton. Consequently, the South became increasingly reliant on slave labor as opposed to the industrialized northern states where slavery held little economic value. Slaves were heavily relied upon for plantation work. In response to escaped slaves, the Fugitive Slave Act was enacted in 1793 to provide legal means for slave owners to recover them.

The Fugitive Slave Act allowed slave owners to reclaim their slaves from any state, giving states the power to catch and send back runaway slaves. In addition, anyone who helped fugitive slaves could be punished with fines. This law aimed to punish anyone who assisted a slave in escaping to freedom. Even if a slave made it to the northern states, they were still considered a fugitive unless their owner freed them. As a result, abolitionists created the underground railroad, which was a system of safe places and secret routes used by runaway slaves on their way to free states or Canada.

About a thousand slaves escaped annually. [4] The Slave Trade was prohibited by an act passed on a specific date. This act stated, "From January 1, 1808, it is illegal to import or bring any black, mixed-race, or non-white person into the United States or its territories." [5] This act had good intentions but limited impact. Slave owners had the means to produce slaves at their discretion through reproduction. This option was supported by slave codes implemented in the

southern states.

The United States was well-known for its skill in bringing slaves into the country, resulting in a slave population of approximately 1.1 million in the southern states.[1] As new states joined the Union, there was an ongoing need to carefully balance the establishment of free and slave states, leading to continuous tension between the northern and southern regions. Preserving a political equilibrium became crucial to avoid the dissolution of the Union. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 played a significant role in this effort by negotiating between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions.

The agreement was made to prohibit slavery north of the parallel 36o30' except in Missouri, and to have Maine join the union as a free state. This admission as a free or slave state further divided the United States, eventually distinguishing the confederation and union. Slaves occasionally took matters into their own hands, though there were numerous revolts. However, word would often leak out about planned revolts, leading to their suppression even before they occurred.

The slave revolt led by Nat Turner in Southampton, Virginia in August 1831 was successful and resulted in the deaths of 55-65 white individuals. In addition, the state executed 56 black people as a consequence. However, this uprising worsened the already challenging situation for African slaves. As a response to the rebellion, many black individuals were killed and laws were passed by the state legislature that prohibited education for both slaves and free black men. Moreover, civil rights for blacks were restricted. By the late 1800s, these tensions were pushing the United States closer to a civil war.

The United States' victory in the war with Mexico in the 1850s resulted in

intense battles over slavery in new territories and states. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 gave America control of southwestern land previously owned by Mexico, sparking bitter disputes between different regions over slavery. Failure to reach a decision on slavery for these territories could have led to Southern secession.

To limit slavery in this newly acquired land, the Wilmot Proviso was introduced in 1847 but did not gain approval in the Senate, which had more Southern representatives. In an attempt to resolve the prolonged debate and preserve national unity, the Compromise of 1850 proposed five bills. It granted voting rights to New Mexico and Utah to decide on slavery and made California a free state. However, controversy arose due to the inclusion of the Fugitive Slave Law which angered Northerners as it imposed severe penalties for assisting fugitive slaves.

In addressing land division and slavery issues, the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 was enacted. This act established two new territories - Kansas and Nebraska - granting settlers authority through popular sovereignty to decide on slavery. It is important to note that prior to this act, the Missouri Compromise of 1820 allowed for a slave state above the 36°30' parallel but was repealed during this period.The decision led to dissatisfaction among numerous northerners who feared that wealthy southern leaders would control all the productive land, leaving only undesirable territories for the working class.

Due to the popular sovereignty election, many people formed groups and traveled across states to impact the voting process. These individuals exerted effort in order to align the state's outcome with their own preferences. The clash between free-staters and pro slavery "Border Ruffians" during Bleeding Kansas

can be seen as a miniature civil war involving pro-slavery Missourians and free-soilers. With the aid of Border Ruffian tactics, Kansas ultimately became a slave state. In Dred Scott v Sandford, slave rights experienced a substantial advancement thanks to a Supreme Court ruling.

Dred Scott and his family filed a lawsuit to gain their freedom. They argued that Dred Scott should be granted emancipation as he had lived in free territories under his master's control. Regrettably, the court ruled that people of African descent, regardless of enslavement status, were not eligible for constitutional rights or U.S. citizenship. As a result, this decision stripped African Americans of both their personal freedom and citizenship.

Although slaves lacked citizenship, they could not bring legal cases in federal courts. Since slaves were considered personal property, Congress had no authority to regulate slavery in the territories or restrict the rights of slave owners based on where they lived. Additionally, the fifth amendment protected slaves from having their property unlawfully taken away. This ruling by the Supreme Court infuriated abolitionists and heightened the already intense conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups.

In his 1858 House Divided speech, Abraham Lincoln voiced the belief that a government divided between slavery and freedom would not be able to endure [3]. This statement heightened tensions surrounding slavery leading up to Lincoln's election. The southern states threatened secession and were on the brink of leaving the union. In 1858, Lincoln competed for an Illinois senate seat against Stephen Douglas, who later became his rival in the presidential race [4]. They participated in a series of seven debates held in different cities, with slavery as the primary topic discussed [5].

These debates attracted large audiences. The main issue at hand was the expansion of slavery into new territories [6]. Despite losing the senate race, these debates played a pivotal role in elevating Lincoln's national prominence. Eventually, he emerged victorious in the 1860 election and guided the nation through its most challenging times. Slavery had a profound impact throughout America during its formative years, establishing a firm grip that proved difficult to overcome.

The institution of slavery had a significant presence in the United States, particularly in the southern states where it served as the foundation for their economy. As a result, there were contentious political disputes that caused divisions within society. The influence of slavery on the entire nation was profound. Valuable information about this topic can be found in primary sources such as the Massachusetts Body of Liberties, Virginia Slavery Act, Declaration of Independence, Treasury no Tyranny, 1790 Census of Population and Housing, United States Constitution, Northwest Ordinance, Missouri Compromise, Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Wilmot Proviso, and House Divided speech. Secondary sources like Wikipedia, Teaching American History, Slavery in America, African American History,Helium , AP US history Book Tindall & Shi: America: A Narrative History (edited by Jon Durbin), PBS , Understanding Race , Thinkquest Library,Vermont Historical Society , Slave North and Quarles also provide valuable information on various aspects of slavery in colonial United States and events such as Nat Turner's slave rebellion. The following sources are provided along with their and contents: [13].National Park Service.http://www.ps.gov/history/history/online_books/ugrr/exuggr2.htm [14].National Archives.http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/cotton-gin-patent/ 1.Dred Scott v.Sandford: org/wiki/Dred_Scott_v._Sandford 2Teaching American History: org/library/index.asp?document=179
Slavery in America: http://www.slaveryinamerica.org/history/hs_es_overview.htm
African American History: http://afroamhistory.about.com/od/slavery/a/The-Start-Of-Slavery-In-North-America.htm
Helium: http://www.helium.com/items/365359-Colonial-Early-American
AP US history Book Tindall & Shi, America: A Narrative History

edited by Jon Durbin Eighth edition (MA World Color Press)
PBS:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/1p274.html (Bacon's Rebellion), http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/1p268.html (Virginia Slave Codes), http://www.pbs.rg/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2951.html (Compromise of 1850 and Fugitive Slave Act)
Understanding Race: http://www.understandingrace.org/history/gov/colonial_authority.html
Thinkquest Library: http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312848/quaker.htm
Vermont Historical Society: http://www.vermonthistory.org/freedom_and_unity/new_frontier/constitution.html
Slave North:http:/ / www.slavenorth.com / nyemancip.htm
Quarles, Benjamin.The Negro in the Making of America.(Collier Books, New York) 1964.
The National Park Service offers information on the history of the Underground Railroad at http://www.ps.gov/history/history/online_books/ugrr/exuggr2.htm.
The National Archives provides access to various documents through different sources and access dates:
1) The document can be found at ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=29, accessed on December 16, 2012.
2) Ibid.3) The House Divided Speech can be found at the website http://www.ushistory.org/documents/housedivided.htm, which was accessed on December 17, 2012.
4) The Lincoln-Douglass Debates can be found at the website http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln%E2%80%93Douglas_debates, which was accessed on December 17, 2012.
5) Ibid.
6) Ibid.