African Americans and Slavery The Start of Slavery - Research Proposal Example

African Americans and Slavery The start of slavery (1600-1865) Introduction African American slavery has been a major age topic in history. Researches and specialists continue to dig around looking for facts and information of various activities that took place. Slavery was so severe that many African slaves would not anticipate that freedom would finally come. Africans were humiliated by the white men and lived a very harsh life. The whites discriminated the blacks to the extent used them as machines for labour. It is worth noting that, although both African Americans and White Slaves were treated badly the former were treated worse. The whites never cared about African American children as they sidelined them as less privileged. By 1860, there were over four million African Americans throughout the South enslaved. Most enslaved people were farmers who toiled from sunrise to sunset. The whites mistreated them and denied them the opportunities and rewards of their hard work they deserved. Slavery was a major concern throughout the American colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries as discussed by Alejandro de (154). The aim of this research proposal is to discuss the African Americans and Slavery from the period 1600 to 1865. Statement of the Problem Over years, slavery has been a litigious topic worth discussion as it brought great impact on the evolution of history. People of the colour were deprived of having their own rights and encountered poor treatment regardless of their hard work. The whites did not appreciate the Africans hard work and never cared about their progress. During this time, African Americans and Tutise made risky moves in an attempt of demanding their rights, and as a result, a war broke out. Prior to this, the whites punished and gave the African Americans hard tasks that in turn increased slavery at a high rate. When in wrong, the whites whipped the slaves and mistreated them by pouring salty water all over their body. The mistreatment was unbelievable and affected many Africans. Following this, one would affirm that slavery was probably the most tragic time in the world’s history that by 1850, 92% of all slaves were African Americans (Pamela Cooper-Smuzynski 162). Background of the Study The decades of the 1600s and 1800s were the period of slavery where African Americans encountered discriminations and mistreatments. In response to this, historians such as William Dusinberre, Peter Wood, and Danied Littefield are helping many comprehend about the events that occurred on South Carolina where many African Americans settled (Kapsidelis 1). From this study, readers comprehend that blacks were the majority in South Carolina from 17th and 18th century. By 18th century, there were over eighteen thousand blacks residing in South Carolina and 65% of the population were enslaved. Slaves encountered massive treatment in labour, and land as the Whites snatched their resources. Research Questions The main objective of this research proposal is to analyze the events that took place during slavery period from 1600-1865. In this case, the proposal wishes to answer the following questions. 1. What were the major attributes to slavery? 2. What were the outcomes of the slavery? 3. What attributed to succession of civil war? Significance of the Study This proposal is essential, as it will create great insights on the major attributes to slavery. In depth, the paper will discuss the outcomes of slavery and various challenges encountered by the slaves. Research Methods To gather more facts and information, I will conduct a literature review on African Americans and Slavery from the period 1600 to 1865. Literature Review As discussed by Rocque (245) African American slavery is a major topic in history that predates back to 18th century. During this time, this research indicates that blacks were bought and sold, and enslaved to work in households and farms without a pay. From this study, the succession of African American culture has progressed with sufferings and mistreatments since 1600s to 1800s. In response to this, Rocque continues to support this study by giving his thoughts on how the enslavement took a long period before the slaves could be given freedom and liberty. This study continues to explore that in 17th century, slavery was a thriving institution especially in the Southern United States. As argued by Bowean (1), the widespread of the cotton gin in Southern Planters augmented the need for an intensive labour in the field. This increased enslavement among the African American been forced to supply the labour. It is worth to note that, not all slaves worked in cotton plantations as some worked in other different types of agriculture such as livestock. Additionally, other slaves worked as skilled traders and common labourers. The whites mistreated the blacks who were largely populated in Southern and Northern cities. According to Davis (98), slavery comprised of long hours of working that began before sunrise and ended after sunset. African American had no control of freedom, and worked under strict supervision and threats of punishment if failure to do the requirements. Despite encountering harsh conditions, slaves were active agents in their communities, families, and personal lives. They sought the best in every circumstances and challenges they encountered. As argued by Davis, the great men succeeded as pioneers of enduring humans that fought the good fight until attaining freedom. In a different research, Davis (132) documents that blacks were viewed as more convenient slaves because they were easier to control than the whites. The whites used race to cause division against blacks and rule them. As a result, this helped the upper classes to sustain their dominance over the blacks who were categorized as lower classes. The upper classes mistreated the lower classes to the extent of denying them human rights. In spite of the tormenting experiences, blacks believed that one day they would attain freedom and liberty (Anonymous 1). As discussed by Haris (1), the brutal chaos followed the end of slavery. According to this research, Union soldiers neglected freed slaves and many died from horrendous outbreaks of cholera and smallpox. Haris estimates that a quarter of the four million freed slaves died from 1863 to 1870. Historians consider this period as the largest crisis of the 18th and 19th century. In his article, Haris (1) documents quotes of a white religious in 1863 who expected all African Americans to vanish. Such racial attitudes from a religious leader seemed shocking, but Haris affirm that it was common to all from religious to political leaders. The man wrote “Like his brother the Indian of the forest, he must melt away and disappear forever from the midst of us” (Haris 1). As argued by Central Intelligence Agency (1), intelligence played a crucial rule in the outcome of civil war. The union’s aptitude to accumulate information about the alliance’s next move allowed them to prevail. Many Brave Black women and men risked their lives to gather information that would birth success of the civil war. In their article, Central Intelligence Agency argues that African American spies played a vital role in the succession of the war. Black Americas learnt imperative skills about confederate plans while serving them. William Jackson is an example of a spy that provided valuable information about the enemy’s plans and reported the plans that would take place. He overheard the discussion of the president with his military leadership on the plans and intention of the war. Still, Central Intelligence Agency continues to argue that Harriet Tubman is an icon for spying the union. Other spies for the union were Mary Touvestre who was a Confederate Engineer’s housekeeper and John Scobell that provided valuable information about the Confederate order of the battle, troop morale, and status. Discussion and Conclusion The accomplishment of attaining freedom and liberty for African Americans left a great legacy in history. Many African Americans were enslaved and mistreated between 1600 and 1865. The research findings indicate that, they worked for long hours under strict supervision and threat of punishment. The major attributes of slavery were the following. Whites viewed blacks as more convenient slaves because they were easier to control and rule. The widespread of the cotton gin in Southern Planters created a great need for whites enslaving blacks to work in the farms. Freedom came at a cost whereby thousands of slaves died from starvation after being liberated. Many African Americans risked their lives to collect information that would birth success of the civil war. This research proposal is worth consideration in understanding African American Slavery. Works Cited Alejandro de, Fuente. “From slaves to citizens? Tannenbaum and the debates on slavery, emancipation, and race relations in Latin America”. International Labour and Working Class History 77.1 (2010):154-173. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0147547909990305 Anonymous. "McGraw-Hill Contemporizes Classic Text from Slavery to Freedom to Bring African American History into the 21st Century."PR Newswire Feb 01 2010.  Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/business/docview/450364911/139D306409A3C27F354/4?accountid=45049 Bowean, Lolly. "Students Dig for Towns History: African-American Enclave After Slavery Gets a Closer Look." McClatchy - Tribune Business News: 1. Jul 14 2006. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/business/docview/463490458/139D306409A3C27F354/7?accountid=45049 Centre Intelligence Agency. Intelligence during the Civil War. Web. 2009. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/black-dispatches.html Davis, Thomas J. "The Sounds of Slavery: Discovering African American History through Songs, Sermons, and Speech."Library Journal 130.5 (2005): 98-. ABI/INFORM Complete. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/business/docview/196862861/139D306409A3C27F354/1?accountid=45049 Davis, Thomas J. "Uncle Tom or New Negro? African Americans Reflect on Booker T. Washington and Up from Slavery One Hundred Years Later/The Education of Booker T. Washington: American Democracy and the Idea of Race Relations."Library Journal 131.3 (2006): 132. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/business/docview/196858161/139D306409A3C27F354/3?accountid=45049 Haris Paul. How the End of Slavery led to Starvation and Death for Millions of Black Americans. Web. 2012. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jun/16/slavery-starvation-civil-war Kapsidelis, Karin. "Lauranett Lee: African-American Spirituality Took Root in Slavery." McClatchy - Tribune Business News, Jan 17, 2011. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/business/docview/840360179/139D306409A3C27F354/6?accountid=45049 Pamela Cooper-Smuzynski. "Remembering Slavery: African Americans Talk about their Personal Experiences of Slavery and Freedom." School Library Journal 45.4 (1999): 162. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/business/docview/211689113/139D306409A3C27F354/20?accountid=45049 Rocque, Michael. “Strain, coping mechanisms, and slavery: A general strain theory application”. Crime, Law and Social Change, 49.4 (2008):245-269. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10611-008-9106-8 Read More