The slavery in America - Research Paper Example

Most of them were enslaved for agricultural purposes, such as, cotton, tobacco, rice, and sugar production. Majority of these African slaves were American born since slave import to United States was officially banned in 1808, however, thousands of Africans were smuggled during next 50 years after ban on international trade. Among 40 million Africans were the descendents of those 12 to 13 million Africans who were kidnapped and brought to America in a massive slave trade starting from 1400s. Most of those enslaved Africans were either died in the brutal passages from Africa or landed in the West Indies or in South and Central America.

Nearly 5 million Africans were imported to Brazil only (Davis, n.d.). There are three basic reasons which started and accelerated the practice of slavery in America. Firstly, early America needed cheap and excessive labor. Secondly, the belief of master and worker was prevalent in Americas. Thirdly, the prejudice against people of color and racism led to acceptance and justification of slavery in American society. With the increase in large plantations in the Southern states and invention of cotton gin, need of cheap and hardworking labor increased, therefore, slavery flourished even more in America (Buell, 2004, p.9). Though slave trade was practiced as an economic activity, but it entirely differs from traditional trade since its product is nothing else but human being.

In a nonslave economy, workers determine the workload and consumption decision. Therefore, labor is different from other factors of productions. On the other hand, in slave economy, owner determines the workload and consumption (feeding) (Barzel, 1977, p.87). From the time when a Dutch ship smuggled 20 enslaved Africans in Virginia colony to 1865 when U.S Constitutions 13th Amendment and Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation (1863) ended slavery, 12 generations of Africans survived in America.