Analyze the Origins and Development of Slaver in Britians North American Colonies Between 1607 to 1776
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As old as history itself, slavery has always been a form of cheaper labor. A long time ago people figured out for the right price labor could be bought. “They were to be sold by the cruel method known as “the scramble”, buyers pushing in and grabbing their pick.”(1) From Biblical times, to the sugar cane fields in Brazil to the African slave trade, ending in the North American slave “movement”. Slaverys roots far back. North Americas slavery past is a critical component when learning the history as a nation and a staple of the development of the United States as a whole.
Slavery was born out of necessity, whether good or bad, Stemming back to royalty and even before that. Kings and Queens had “serfs” a fancier name for slave. “An earthly kingdom cannot exist without inequality of persons. Some must be free, some serfs, some rulers, some subjects.”(2) Or the less offensive term “indentured servant” which essentially meant you were the property of someone else until your “debt” was paid off. “In colonial North America, farmers, planters, and shopkeepers found it very difficult to hire free workers, primarily because cash was short and it was so easy for those workers to set up their own farms. Consequently, the more common solution was to pay the passage of a young worker from England or Germany, who would work for several years to pay off the travel costs debt.”(3) Growing civilizations needed someone or something to subsidize developing cities. This includes things such as: agriculture, farming, building homes, businesses, and other housing spaces, caring for farm life and children as well. People felt they needed more help to accommodate the daily tasks of life. People wanted more assistance and would pay a steep price to get it, sometimes even “stealing” someone would suffice. “I must own to the shame of my own countrymen, that I was first kidnapped and betrayed by those of my own complexion.”(4) Slavery at its worst description essentially meant that the color of your skin dictated your “place” in life. If one was a slave or born into slavery, that was ones “purpose” in life. You were to be put to work may it be difficult or extreme situations the value of your life was less and your master commanded so. You were bought and paid for. And your life was labor.