Slavery from 1607-1775 essays

Slavery from 1607-1775 essays Between the years of 1607-1775, slavery in the southern colonies underwent tremendous growth. Clearly, there were three main factors which influenced its rapid increase in prevalence in these agricultural colonies. The original reason for the institution of slavery was primarily based upon economic reasons. White plantation owners needed a replacement for the indentured servants, who were rapidly becoming quite inconvenient. Closely tied to the economic reasons were the social motives of white plantation owners for African slaves. African slaves were already somewhat weathered in their homeland. Once in the New World, the social ties of the blacks actually aided in their population growth. Lastly, geographic reasons, such as the triangle trade, and simple cross-Atlantic voyage made African slavery a viable option. In 1619, the first slaves made the torturous journey across the Atlantic from their homes on the coast of Africa to an unknown land; Jamestown, Virginia. This infamous year marked the start of three centuries of inhumane slave trading, on a three-part route known as the triangular trade. The primary reason for the importation of African slaves was due to the growing disadvantages of white indentured servants from Britain. For around fifty years, the slave population remained relatively insignificant in the British colonies. Drastic change occurred following Bacons Rebellion in 1676. This rebellion, led by Nathaniel Bacon, was comprised of a group of one thousand Virginians who rebelled against their governor, William Berkeley. Although eventually suppressed, this uprising caused great physical damage to Virginia. Far worse, however, was the psychological damage it left with the plantation owners in the colony. Due to Bacons Rebellion, wealthy plantation owners began to sea rch for a new group of workers who could do the same job without the revolts. In the ensuing decade, rising wages in Englan...