The Spread Of Slavery In America

America turned to slavery in the 17th century when the spread of Tabaco increased the demand for labor. Slavery has existed for most of human’s history, however America’s use of slavery based on plantation culture. It became connected to race, and the cruel treatment increased which resulted in high death rates. In this paper, I will argue that slavery shaped the foundations of the United States through the spread of religion, rebellions, the cruel treatment of slaves, criticism that emerged about slavery and the tension with foreign power. The use of slaves created a harsh reality for the US filled with fear and hatred, creating a defined social hierarchy.

Colonists perception of slavery facilitated the continuous maltreatment and violence

Another slave code implemented in South Carolina in 1712 prevented slaves from leaving the plantation without written consent from their masters. This is yet another way in which they were able to punish and control the movements of their slaves. It was also used as a way to have complete power over the slaves, aiming to prevent slaves from escaping and revolting. The colonists fear of escaping slaves is further articulated in the Fugitive Slave Act (1793) which was used to legitimize and increase slave bounty hunters in the North as a way to return the slaves to the plantation owners. The Act provides the requirements if one discovers a runaway slave and punishes any colonist who assists a runaway through a $500 fine and jail time. This document exhibits their fear and need for total control over the slaves as a result of the monetary value for the slave owners. Their view of slaves is shown in The Petition to the Virginia Assembly, when the British tried to manumit their slaves. The document states that they tried to “deprive us of a very important part of our property”, showing that they define slaves as property and as a fundamental right of the colonists. Slaves are treated as belonging to another human,

Their friction with the Spanish Empire was revealed through the Stono Rebellion. The Stono Rebellion was the largest uprising of the slaves that occurred in South Carolina. These slaves were headed for Spanish territory because the King of Spain guaranteed freedom and protection to any slave that lived on their land. He promised this not because he was morally against slavery, but rather as a tactic to threaten and weaken the Americans. This was successful through causing their fear of the enslaved revolting. Another tension was created between British and the colonist over slaves which is presented in Petition to the Virginia State Legislature. A slave reflects how the British Army tries to recruit African Americans through offering them freedom in exchange. He explains, “slaves emancipate themselves, by becoming the assassins of their owners”. The British granted power to the enslaved and increase the fear of the slaves for the colonists. They did this “not for the Emancipation of Blacks, but not for the subjugation of whites”, as a power move against the colonists. The slaves would serve as a soldier in the American army and as a spy in the British army. The British threat towards the slave owners was furthered exemplified when Lord Dunmore “declare all indented servants, Negroes or others, free that are able and