Slavery in America

Slavery in America

By 1850, ninety-two percent of all American blacks were concentrated in the South, and about 95 percent were slaves. Pre-civil war slaves in America went through a great deal of turmoil and discontent in the South. Slavery has had a huge effect on our country. Many slaves were beaten to death and some did not survive the ruff life of slavery. Slavery then went on to cause the War between the North and the South known as the “Civil War”.

In 1916, a Dutch ship brought twenty enslaved Africans to a Virginia Colony at Jamestown. Slaves were sold all over the United States to work on small farms and plantations. The slaves worked hard day in and day out to finish their jobs. Slave owners would whip and beat the slaves that would not work right or that tried to escape the plantation. Many times on a small farm the master would be in the field watching the slaves. Usually on larger farms the master would hire an overseer to make sure the slaves work and do not try to escape. (Slavery in America)

Slaves were taken from several areas of Africa such as Timbuktu, Benin, and Fut Tur. The African west coast was a very dangerous place during the triangular slave trade. First, the slave traders leave Europe and are directed to African West coast. Then they go from African West coast to West Indies or America. Finally they sail home from America. A complete trip lasts about 12 months. Slaves were brought by ships from Africa to be sold in America. (Pre-Civil War)

Runaway slaves used the Underground Railroad to escape slavery. They used the North Star for guidance to the northern United States. They would travel through waterways, swamps, forests, mountains, and back roads to escape slavery. Free blacks, Quakers, whites, and Native Americans would also help the slaves escape.

In conclusion I have learned that slaves in the Pre-civil war ear went through a great deal of trial and tribulation.