How slavery became less about religion and god’s will, and more about race
Slavery in American began in 1619 before the American Revolution. In 17th and 18th century, slavery continued in American colonies and during this period slaves boosted the economy in South. However, slavery debate led to American civil war after the expansion of American Westward and abolition movement in North. Slavery America expanded in 1619 when 20 Africans were brought in the British colony where they worked in Americans plantation (McCord, 1840). In 1775-01783 after the American Revolution, North colonies developed the slavery’s abolition. The transformations that occurred before 1740, did not only transform those that were enslaved, but also the slave's treatment and the living culture additionally transformed. In 1730s and 1740s, Americans were struggling to find nation identity and during this period they were against the forms of Christianity which were introduced during the Great Awakening. The Great Awakening played a big role in transforming religious beliefs and many Christians become democratic and concentrated much on racial stereotypes (McCord, 1840). During this period of slavery, African Americans introduced their new religious beliefs which had an impact on religion due to the mixture of American and African Americans faith. Many prominent Americans were compelled by Deism to establish the Declaration of Independence. During this period, the difference in religious beliefs developed the fight for independence. In 18th and 19th century, slavery in America was primarily founded for the purpose of economic primacy. During 18th century, slavery became less about religion and more about race. For this reason, African slaves violated religion and expressed various forms of resistance in struggling to find their identity and strength.
In 18 century, slaves played a significant role in building America. All skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers performed different tasks on plantation and ensured the survival of colonies in America from 16th to 19th century (Browne, 1883). There was a tremendous religious change within America in 18th century. Their showed their determination in gaining freedom and in this case, their maintained and followed their African culture. They had different religious views with Christianity and through their cultural beliefs they could challenge the slavery. In analyzing how slavery concentrated more on race, it is important to note that African American created their religious culture while in American slavery and the strong culture led to a strong connection between African Americans and African history, religious community and developed of new religious system (Browne, 1883). During slavery era, some of African Americans were Muslim while others were Catholic but all had religious beliefs connected with nature and supernatural being. The traditional religions of Africans led to the development of new religious cultures. During the period of 18th century, more that 10million Africans were forced to enter into American slavery. Due to the own religion from African culture, they had different worldviews which developed while they were in the America slavery (McCord, 1840). In antebellum America, the religious culture of Africans Americans started to show changes and to differ with religious beliefs of the Africa Diaspora.
In resisting religion, new Negroes were interested with having original identities. They resisted through self-determination and they were interested in returning back home. They had knowledge about the ancestors which they used in forming social organization where they could create elements of identity. The important point to note is that in 18th century, African Americans who were enslaved developed a selfhood and recognized the importance of cultivating culture valued (McCord, 1840). When focusing on culture of modernity, slavery is defined as anachronistic which means that it is derived from self functioning, human values and self-reflective subjects. It is also regarded as a form of enlightenment which was created as a result of autonomous and self-reflection. In European continental tradition, individuals were interested with modern subjects in creating meaning and identity. Slaves used the idea of enlightenment toward modifying society and freeing from arbitrary authority (McCord, 1840). With the idea of enlightenment, slaves turned away from religion and started to follow scientific principles. They believed that Enlightenment could help them recognize human life. The Enlighten also created a new value system where slaves could understand the universal rule concerning idealistic structure.
In 17th century, all 13 British colonies legalized the enslavement of African Americans and the legalization led to a higher growth of racial slavery. Slavery boosted the economy and during this period economy played a significant role in bringing colonial prosperity (McCord, 1840). The economic realities were evident in all the American states and therefore the need of legalization of slavery practice was necessary. It is also important to note that in mid -1400s and late 1800s early before the American Revolution, African people were enslaved by transatlantic slaver traders (McCord, 1840). They were bought from African slave traders and they did various task such as transporting human cargo to the New World. In early 1609, many slaves experienced the ‘starving time’. There was also an Act which was introduced for governing Negroes. In this Act No. 670 states that …’That it shall not be lawful for any slave, unless in the presence of some white person, to carry or make use of fire arms, or any offensive weapons…’ (McCord, 1840). This shows that slaved were restricted in material comfort and they experienced violence and intimidation. The State law and courts could not recognize their challenges but rather they experienced physical cruelty. However, the 13th Amendment was ratified in 1865 and as a result; slavery was abolished during the period. President Lincoln declared that all enslaved people should be freed and his Emancipation Proclamation played a significant role in the abolishment of slavery (McCord, 1840).
During 17th and 18th century, slavers were property who could create investment and labor-intensive goods. Slave traders and owners incurred a cost for ensuing ownership and maintaining investment. They also used a lot of money on enforcing traders and as a result the slave traders in Great Britain established the slavery abolition (Browne, 1883). European settlers did not view African as indentured servants but rather they treated them as slaves for labor source. For example, the book ‘The Origin of North-America Slavery and Racims’ states that “They are call’s Slaves in Respect of the Servitude, because it is for Life” (Browne, 1883). This shows how slaves were treated during slavery era in 1705. However, the colonial laws that were governing slavery changed as slavery become both hereditary and racial. Slaves were able to resist slavery and to bring changes through their cultures, values and practice. They focused on past beliefs and tried to practice them in building a strong community. After 1808, there was no importation of slavery and majority of slaves were Americans from South. During this period, slaves in New World created a racial identity and used race in revisiting slavery (Browne, 1883). Native Americans who had been captured during the war frontiers, however, were continually enslaved but every aggressive action by the European colonists continues to change the neighboring diplomacy. This enabled the Native Americans to get the opportunities of escaping and returning to their actual tried through the wilderness. In addition, the Native Americans who had been enslaved held a limited number. With the rise of competition from the European investors, the price of labor decreased as the slaves began to get into America in high volumes (Browne, 1883).
Conclusion
In those decades prior to 1700, the general number of Africans arriving in American rose, thus resulting in a shaky situation for African Americans. Even those that were born during the particular period were not spared as they were additionally accounted as slaves. This resulted in the rise of pressured feeling among those that inherited the slavery status, which led to the development of protests. African captives were dehumanized and used as personal property creating the democracy. Social and political matters led to racial inferiority and a great threat to Negroes. When slavery was defined as an important thing in America, religion was valued for the purpose of eliminating racial divisions. However, many people become Christians and this led to the modification in slavery. A slave-based economy was developed and in 19th century and there was a natural order which was called ‘Social Darwinism’ which stated that strong people should exist and weak people must die. It is also important to say that the enslavement of Africans was not only about economy but also about racism. Initially, it was believed that slaves could change heathen to Christians and bring civilization. However, Whites brought biological absurdities which were based on modification of human race.
Reference
McCord, David J., ed. (1840). The Statutes at Large of South Carolina. Vol. 7, Containing the Acts Relating to Charleston, Courts, Slaves, and Rivers. Columbia, SC: A.S. Johnston, 1840, p. 397.
Browne H. William. (1883). The Origins Of North American Slavery And Racism. Maryland Archives: preceedings and the general assembly of Maryland. 1664. Pp 85.89. Pdf
