Do you think that if this country was not build on free labor would we still be a rich nation?

Question

before anyone freaks out not anti white people or aything I am actually mixed. I was just thinking had it not been for slavery and varies out forums of cheap labor that built the US do you think we would still be a rich nation. Just thought maybe it was a fitting question for Mlk Day

Answer 1

Hmm... interesting question. I have to say I'd never thought of that before. I guess my answer would be no. Without free labor, the US would not be so "successful."

Even now this is the case. I'm just thinking of Wal-Mart. They keep their stuff so cheap by using cheap (almost slave, definitely child) labor in China, where there aren't any labor laws in place. The Waltons (who own WalMart) are EXTREMELY wealthy.

Maybe a modern day equivalent in the US is how low minimum wage is, and how many hard working people don't have health insurance.

When you think of slave labor, you think of people without freedoms or rights - in a way, without health insurance, we have less rights.

So... yes, I am willing to bet that many "successful" companies in the US even now are founded on slave labor or something very similar.

****Just read the third comment, and I disagree. While Americans may not have had slaves doing work in all parts of the country, even during industrialization, there were no labor laws. Immigrants - very very young children - were working 18 hour days in factories and mines for very little money. So.. not free labor. But not too far from it ****

Answer 2

We would not have built the nation as quickly and may well have not gained independence. I agree that slavery is evil. We did not live in those times nor did we create a purpose for slavery. As long as the issues of slavery are not laid to rest there will always be a rift between races. Martin Luther King was a great man. He fought for rights that are well deserved.
Slavery has long been abolished and there is no reason to keep it alive. We must all band together as man kind and stop petty squabbles and lay evil deeds to rest. If we do not do this, religious, political and racial ideas will destroy us all.
En Tis Blethec.

Answer 3

Actually other countries still use slave labor and cheaper labor than the U.S. And yet they are not rich countries. I think it is more about the fact that here most labor is regulated and if it isn't those people that feel they are being abused have someone that can inform.

Answer 4

no labor is free. labor from slavery is not "free"neither "cheap". in one way or another, someones life is affected. This nation is in debt,US industries farm out jobs to other countries, because they can't pay americans to do it. The pay for labor is "cheap" in those countries. It isn't over, it is still going on............

Answer 5

Study economics. Look at the diversity of climate and geography, length of shoreline, and self-selecting nature of the people who chose to come here. The US would dominate no matter what. If anything the use of slave labor created false economies that hindered innovation.

Answer 6

actually, this country was not built on free labor. the only thing built on free labor was, a few rich white families estates, in the south. they didn't share any with the government. it was for their own personal profit.

Answer 7

no longer anymore. And we are dropping greater freedom on a daily basis. it particularly is not proper if Democrats or Republicans are in fee. they have the two shown that they are keen to forget approximately appropriate to the form. i do no longer think of we are lots greater loose than China and Cuba at this factor. we are rapidly transforming into a police state, dropping sources rights, and we are fed propaganda on a on a daily basis foundation. Adam, this is ridiculous. you may consume a burger in a communist u . s .. plant life nonetheless bloom in China.