Research Paper on Slavery Before and After the American Revolution

Introduction

The acts of slavery existed in the 17th and 18th centuries. Before the American Revolution, slavery was conducted in different regions of America. Although the American revolution contributed to positive change in freeing slaves, the acts of slavery were still practiced. The situations and role of slaves before and after the American revolution differs. Additionally, the role and situations of the slaves differed from house to house. During the slavery era, some slaves worked in plantations, industries, babysitting, and other in-house work. Most of the slaves, before and after the American revolution, were African Americans. The research focuses to evaluate the situations and roles of the slaves before and after the American revolution. Also, the paper will analyze whether or not slavery exists in modern American society.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Situations of Slavery Before the American Revolution

The acts of slavery began in 1619 and were triggered by Dutch ship which brought 20 slaves to serve in a British colony. During the 17th century, the British had found the way to North America (Schneider & Carl 3). They were involved in major industrial revolution activities such as farming and industrialization. As such, they required cheap labor to farm their plantation as well as manure labor to learn operations in factories such as the cotton gin. The need for labor for the British colony made them turn to African slaves because they were cheap and more productive in manual labor. Throughout the 17th century, slaves were badly treated by denying them rights to exercise freedom.

Slaves as Commodity for Trade

Before the American Revolution, slaves were viewed as a commodity for trade (Schneider & Carl 2). The demand for slaves by the British colony led to cases where slaves were bought and sold in open markets. During the process of trading slaves, the traders could exchange slaves with money or other commodities. The act of trading humans like commodities is an act of lack of respect to humankind. The slaves were sold to their masters who viewed them as an asset to manage and rule. Depending on different regions, slaves could be even be killed without repercussions because their masters felt that they owned the life of the slaves.

No Right to Education

During the 16th century, education was not common to all. In fact, those who had access to education were privileged (Schneider & Carl 5). To ensure that the slaves were not enlightened about their freedom, they were not allowed to read or write. The slave owners were afraid that educating the slaves would lead to a revolt from the slaves. The limitation to learning was a serious issue such that slaves caught learning would be punished by receiving 300 slashes. The limitation to access education resulted in a situation of illiteracy among the people of color.

Sexual Assault and Harassment

The acts of sexual assaults and harassment were common before the American revolution. Female slaves with male overseers were often assaulted sexually (Fulton 230). The slave owners did not respect women and viewed them as an asset to use whenever they wanted. Sexual harassment from their masters was common and they did not have any say about it. In other cases, female slaves suffered in the hands of their masters by being raped. Additionally, female slaves could be forced into marriage at a very early age. Before the American Revolution, the British could look for young women to be their mistress. The female slaves were not given freedom to choose who to marry or when to marry.

The Slaves were Brutally Punished

Before the American Revolution, slaves were brutally punished for their mistakes. During the colonial period of the British in America, slaves were not recognized as human beings but as property owned by their masters (Schneider & Carl 5). As such, slaves' masters had the right to do anything with their slaves. To tame the slaves, the masters could exercise punishment methods towards their slaves. The punishments depended on each master as well as the violation committed by slaves. For instance, slaves were not allowed to read and write thus, any slave caught learning was severally punished. The punishment for violation of the learning law would result in 300 slashes.

Additionally, some violation could result in severe punishments. For instance, disobedience of the slaves to their masters could result in the dismemberment of the hands. Also, slaves who rebelled against their masters, or tried to run away would result in their feet being dismemberment. The masters used such severe punishments in order to prevent a revolt from the slaves.

Another kind of punishment subjected to the slaves was long working hours in the plantations. Before the American Revolution, the British were involved mainly in farming and, manufacturing. The activities required a lot of manual labor which was easily provided by the black slaves (Schneider & Carl 3). The slaves would work for long hours in the plantations without rest or enough food. They worked from sunrise to dark. Those who tried to escape from plantations were hunted and imprisoned. The female slaves also suffered severe punishments from their masters, especially from the male masters. In case of violation rules, female slaves were sexually assaulted and harassed.

The Role of Slaves before the American Revolution

The slaves' role before the American revolution was to provide manual labor in plantations and factories. In Southern America, slaves were used in both large and small plantations. By the time of the American Revolution, the population of slaves had grown to about 60%. The slaves working in large plantations were required to complete their daily tasks and then, they would be allowed to interact in their free time. However, those who worked in small plantations were more scrutinized by their, masters. They were subjected to long working hours and were not allowed to interact with other slaves.

In the Urban North regions, such as New England and Boston, slaves served in different capacities. The Northern region did not have many plantations and thus most slaves served in industries, factories, and domestic work. In the Northern region, slaves worked as artisans, dock workers, sailors, domestic servants, and craftsmen.

Additionally, the slaves played a role in the American revolution. During the revolution, the slaves wanted to fight for their freedom, but their masters did not give them weapons in fear that they would kill them at night. Some of the revolutionary officers such as Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens wanted the slaves to play a key role in the American revolution (Quarles 8). They wanted to use the slaves by creating war battalions of Negroes. Additionally, Lord Dunmore, a British Governor, announced that the slaves would earn their freedom if they fought alongside the British. An estimate of 3000-4000 slaves ran away and joined the British armies (Quarles 14). However, the British lost the war but Lord Dunmore kept the promise by freeing the remaining slaves in his army. The agreement was signed in a ledger referred to as "The Book of Negroes."

Slavery after the American Revolution

Although the American Revolution changed the course of slavery in America, it had little impact on the situations and role of the slaves. During the American Revolution, both the British and the patriots urged the slaves to fight alongside them and that they could grant them freedom after the war (Davis 13). After the British were defeated in the war, the British freed the slaves that fought alongside them. The American Revolution marked a new era which was comprised of movements fighting for freedom and equality.

Additionally, after the American Revolution in 1785, some slave owners released their slaves out of their own will. Also, the new government passed laws that aimed at freeing slaves from their owners. For example, a law suggesting slavery was wrong was enacted in a document called 'Deeds of Manumission' The document explained reasons why it was necessary to free the enslaved persons in all American regions. The reasons stipulated in the document urged slave owners to free their slaves. In 1787, for example, Phillip Graham freed all his slaves after realizing that slavery was unalienable rights to mankind (Davis 23).

Additionally, the American Revolutions was followed by emphasis to the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. The anti-slavery force was initiated by the British in 1804 and was led by William Wilberforce (Davis 32). Other countries such as the United States, Holland, Portugal, and Denmark were expected to follow the suit by abolishing the slave trade in their regions. After the death of William Wilberforce in 1806, the British government enacted bill prohibiting the slave trade. The bill was passed a year later in 1807 which limited all British colonies against anti-slavery trade (Davis 32). Consequently, the United States abandoned the slave trade in 1808 by agreeing to follow the slave trade ban enacted in 1787 (Davis 33).

Situations and Role of Slavery After the American Revolution

Even after the American Revolution, slavery still existed in some regions. The slaves agreed to participate in the American Revolution because they were promised freedom by both the American patriots and the British. After the American Revolution, the slaves who fought alongside each side were granted freedom (Schneider & Carl 6). However, slavery did not end completely after the American Revolution. For instance, the northern region abolished slavery gradually. However, the Southern region maintained their institution for slavery. The Southern region was still involved in large farming, therefore, requiring cheap labor from the slaves. The demand for manual labor in the south resulted to few slaves being freed by their masters.

The slaves unlucky to be freed by their masters continued to be subjected to harsh working conditions and punishments. The slaves could work for long hours in the plantations and were not allowed to interact with others. Also, the slaves could be punished in case they violated the law. Also, the enslaved persons who tried to run away could be hunted like animals and imprisoned. The harsh conditions of slavery continued in some regions like Boston despite the impact of the American Revolution.

Although some slaves gained freedom after the American Revolution, their social status remained the same. The freed slaves did not have a job, food and homes to stay. The outside world did not welcome them with warm hands and they were subjected to suffering. Most of the freed slaves from the South migrated to the North region. In order to cater for their daily living requirements, the freed slaves were forced to work in industries. However, their wages were too low making them live in a poor social status. Additionally, the freed slaves did not have homes to stay and they were forced to live in populated slums which were accompanied with health risks.

Consequently, the freed slaves were faced with race discrimination situation. Most of the slaves during the American Revolution were blacks. After being freed from their masters, the white society did not recognize them as free people. They discriminated the freed slaves with respect to their color, illiteracy, and ethnicity (Schneider & Carl 6). As such, the freed slaves did not enjoy equal social amenities like education, healthcare, and job opportunities. Also, due to racial discrimination, the freed slaves lacked social justice from the judicial systems in America. In some regions, for instance, the African American people were brutally killed and could never find justice.

Due to the continued injustice of the freed slaves, the slaves formed alliances to fight for their e...