American Slavery Prior to 1865...what your Perspective?

Question

I was just watching a program produced from a local freedom center. That's a museum that is dedicated to telling the story of slavery in America. They focus on the undergroud railroad etc. They fail to mention the lives these slaves had prior to entering American. The vast majority were already slaves in Africa and many were sold by other Africans to European slave traders. The fact is their lives improved a great deal by coming to America..that was one lucky ticket. Looking at the condition of Africa today with the corruption it is no wonder why we don't see a massive exodus or even a tribble to return to the land of stavation and murderous war Lords. When my ancestors came to America they endured great hardships and discrimination that they over came with hard work and sheer determination to succeed. No one held a protest march, No one demanded special employment laws...they walked forward, men led their families, mothers loved their children.

Where am I wrong? (DETAILS)

Answer 1

Slavery: the facts no one wants to talk about!

Slavery was not cheap labor, it was far more expensive to keep a slave than to hire someone- slavery only works in an economy when there is no labor available.

The fall of slavery in the US had nothing to do with the civil war, slavery fell because of a famine in Ireland, and the mass influx of cheap Irish labor.

Blacks were not the first slaves in the colonies, nor were they the only slaves- slaves were Irish, Chinese, Indian, Mexican and Black plus a few other smaller groups

Only about 8% of the slaves transported from Africa came to US soil, most were transported to the Caribbean islands and Brazil

A slaves life in the US was far better than their counterparts that went to sugar and coffee plantations in South America

In societal status, slaves were not at the bottom- white yeoman farmers and Irish were lower

Not all Blacks in the US were slaves, almost 30% were free

The largest slave owners in the US were Black, with several having over 4000 slaves

The cruelest of the slave owners in the US were also black

The biggest difference between slaves that went to the US and those that went elsewhere is the the slaves in the US were allowed to have families

Abolitionists goal was not to free the slaves, but to create a cheap labor force for factory owners


The US created a nation in Africa for any slaves that wanted to go back to Africa after the civil war, it is called Liberia! Andrew Johnson was almost impeached due to the cost of this undertaking!

Answer 2

I find the question genuine, but many responses so far to be racist and ignorant.

We're not comparing apples to apples here. We are in America NOW, the best damn country in the world. We should demand equality of rights and privileges and equal treatment under the law for everyone. The reality is that equality still does not exist. African Americans are not looking to go back to Africa, just like Irish Americans weren't looking to go back during the potato faminine. Why? Because we've made a fine country on both of their backs.

Sure, African Americans were not sent into mines when a cheap Irishman who could die there would be cheaper, because at least you didn't own him. But they both were doing the hardest work there was at the time!!

Answer 3

No protest marches...but they dumped tea in Boston harbor, organized unions, lobbied for workplace safety regulations, child labor laws and a limit to the workday.

People are more than commodities, I know it's hard for conservatives to accept this notion.

Since labor costs shrink business margins, slavery would be an immediate windfall profit- at the expense of freedom.

Answer 4

hi im no longer African or American yet i will empathize with what you assert, i think of that if a faith is physically powerful for the period of immediately today in background for somebody then so be it, i think of that the roots are continually corrupt the christians burnt witches who did no harm they did some evil **** yet karma continually seems after it interior the tip. curiously there are no longer any young toddlers desirous to be christian priests anymore, possibly via way christians have taken care of alternative persons over background, i think of christianity could die out sooner or later and we can all replace right into a loving non violent religious relatives no count what our blood type, colour race or creed, what an exquisite image which would be!

Answer 5

They didn't ask to come here. Who should they thank for this great opportunity, you? I doubt your ancestors were forced to come here. That's a difference.
As far as the state of Africa now, if Europeans didn't colonize the continent of Africa, there wouldn't be the divisions and boundaries that exist now.
I doubt that every African was an eternal slave before they got here anyway, that bringing them here was an improvement.
You are just too wonderful. They (ex-slaves) should get down on their knees and thank you.

Answer 6

Slaves used to get fed, watered, were given shelter, and also had healthcare (a sick slave is no good).

That sounds like an improvement for many Americans right now

Answer 7

Maybe their predecessors are better off today, but they were not. Have you ever read the book "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano" ? It describes how slavery was in Africa, which was much better than in America, or any other place in the world

Answer 8

Yes I've always wondered why those screaming the loudest haven't tried to go back and create a great society.

Answer 9

You are Correct, some people just think we owe them ,
anything to get out of work.