Essay on African Americans in Antebellum America - 1165 Words

Africans first arrived in the area that later became the United States of America in around 1619 in the Chesapeake area. The large amount of fertile land in the area gave the settlers their biggest cash crop, which was tobacco. As time went by, more and more tobacco was being exported to England. Because of this, more labor was needed. This need for more labor was not only in the north, but in the south as well due to their mass production of cotton. This movement started the institution of slavery in America. Then, the colonies and other countries started to trade slaves and it became a business. The Royal African Company was the first slave trading company, which was started in 1672. The slaves were transported by the Middle†¦show more content†¦The House of Representatives uses the states population to determine how many representatives each state receives in the House. In the southern states, they thought that everyone, including slaves, should be counted. The northern states did not think that it was fair to count the slaves in the total population, since there were a lot more slaves in the south than the north. Both sides agreed to the 3/5 Compromise. This compromise said that for every 5 slaves, they would be counted as 3 citizens. Therefore, 60% of the slave population would be used when the states population is counted. Slavery in the United States lasted until towards the end of the Civil War and even some after the Emancipation Proclamation, since it only freed slaves in the South and not in the North. Growing up as a child in a slave family was pretty easy, until you discovered the harsh reality of slavery. The children were not allowed to call certain people by certain names. For one former Louisiana slave, that moment came when her mistress whipped her for saying to misses, `My mother sent me. We were not allowed to call our mammies `mother. It was too near the way of the white folks. (African American Voices pg. 109). Some children saw their own parents getting whipped and became aware of the fact that their parents could not protect them from their master. Some children copied their owners because that isShow MoreRelatedThe Rise of the Anti-Slavery Movement in the US Essay867 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout the history of America, the struggle between white and black Americans is by the far the most complex and long standing issue. Beginning with first contact between white Europeans and Africans during the English colonial period, Africans were immediately labeled wit h terms including savage and heathen. During the Antebellum period, institution of chattel slavery in America certain ideas of what the black man’s role in society became widely known and accepted. Stereotype such as the SamboRead More`` 12 Years A Slave `` And The Fight For Freedom Essay1239 Words   |  5 Pages Throughout the the period of Antebellum America, the institution of slavery distinctly shaped the lives of both enslaved, and free, African Americans. This institution tore apart lives, killed countless, and wrongly enslaved an entire race of people for something out of their control.. The academy award winning film 12 Years a Slave tells the tragic tale of Solomon Northup, a free African American, and his horrific journey while kidnapped into slavery. This film portrays both the struggle and theRead MoreSlave Narratives : A Darker Side Of American History900 Words   |  4 PagesA Darker Side of American History How would we be able to fully understand history only knowing one-side of the story? 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