In the history of mankind, the use of slaves is a staple to the beginning of some of the world’s strongest civilizations. Both small and large countries are known to use slaves and America is not exempted from this practice as these slaves worked on tasks not normally preferred by people, especially those in power and high wealth. America itself had used slaves since the beginning of the colonies and the practice itself has spanned for centuries with its impacts remaining a hot topic for discussion even at the present time. However, it is a question if the treatment of slaves – especially black slaves - were immediately severe once they started working for the colonies in the 1600s. Before the onset of racism and severe slavery in the 1700s, Africans brought in to the America to work on the plantations were not inhumanely treated despite their status as ‘servants’ or ‘slaves’ and were able to exercise several rights and eventually become free.
The use of slaves in the Americas was a practice introduced by Europeans in several of their colonies in order to work on their plantations. Europeans shipped Africans out of their homelands to work on their sugar plantations starting in the 1600s considering their white indentured servants did not wish to work on labor intensive tasks such as sugar cultivation. The first Africans were brought in America in 1619 in Virginia and while their tasks were labor intensive, these Africans were not seen as slaves but rather as ‘indentured servants’. These early slaves were seen as a necessity they need to accept. Most of these slaves were tasked to handle agricultural labor, but there were slaves who also worked as artisans like carpenters, blacksmiths and coopers. Some slaves were brought on the New York-New Jersey border to work in the iron industry. These slaves were also hired out by slave owners for wages, providing steady income for owners and recovery period for farmers who have lost some income on growing season. .
Despite the fact these slaves were given labor intensive tasks by their owners, they enjoyed several freedoms in comparison to their counterparts in the 1700s. The legal status of slaves in the 1600s were very ambiguous to the point they could actually exercise their rights. After a few years of working for their slave owners, some slaves were able to free themselves from slavery as they have already reached their agreed contract with their owners. When a person is considered an ‘indentured servant’, they are under a contract for 4 to 7 years as they would be able to pay their transportation ‘fare’ when they were brought in the country. Each one of these ‘servants’ were also allowed liberties to learn the language and customs of the New World. This allowed them to cope with the differences in societies and traditions, blending in easily to the population once they gain their freedom. Some slave owners – especially those in Virginia – freed their slaves voluntarily while others allowed these slaves to buy their freedom.
The history of slavery in the United States, especially in the 1600s, has a very deep impact in the early years of the country as it enabled the country to build the foundations of what is to become the world’s most powerful country. Upon their arrival, these early slaves sustained the labor force and brought commerce and services to thrive in the New World. Early Americans and the colonies recognized their contributions and while their laws that restricted their movement, these slaves were given the chance to excel and gain their freedom. They also treated humanely by their owners and fellow workers, allowing them to coexist without fearing for their lives.
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Alexander, Leslie. Encyclopedia of African American History. New York: ABC-CLIO, 2010.
Foner, Eric. Give me Liberty!: An American History. 4th Edition. Vol. I. New York: W. W.
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