Discussion thread:

Post A

1. Economic Force - One economic force that I came across as I was reading was that "Government authorities and planters had to be convinced that importing African slaves was the best way to solve their persistent shortage of labour." (Page 81). The production of goods like tobacco and sugar began.As the demand for these goods increased more labour was required. Therefore plantation owners turned to slaves instead of indentured servants. The slave population for example increased in Barbados between 1660 and 1670. There was about 20,000 to more than 80,000 during that time. This comes to show that this was one economic force among many more that created and shaped the American system of slavery.

2. Law - Laws were put into place that went against social norms. One of them I came across was the "Maryland Act Concerning Negroes and Other Slaves" found on (Page 84). This law stated that free white women who entered marriage with a black slave were declared slaves for the duration of the life of their spouse. Enslaved Africans were the status of slaves for life. It also stated that even children of any slave automatically becomes enslaved no matter if they get involved with a white woman or man.This law created the American system of slavery so African Americans would not be able to ever be free and the whites used this to their advantage because they know that with this law they were able to keep the slaves for generations.

3. Historical Event - The triangular trade was a historical event that created the American system of slavery.It was a triangular trade of routes that placed in the Atlantic. It had many ports of entry to different continents. During this time the slaves were being imported through many different colonies and being traded for goods such as herbs, gold and spices in return for labour, which was slaves. (Page 114) This event caused slavery to be allowed and spread even more throughout the colonies and therefore made it seem that it was a regularized business.

Post B

Although prejudice was a significant factor for keeping slavery institution acceptable in the eye of the non-enslaved people, mainly white people, it was not the fundamental reason for slavery. Historically, the origin of slavery could be traced back to civilization, the arrival of agriculture and centralized hierarchy. According to Foner Eric, "slavery has existed for nearly the entire span of history" (Foner, 2017, P.81). Slavery has to be in existence in many forms across the world since the creation of hierarchy within civilization. The Atlantic Slave Trade which involves the transportation of enslaved African people, mainly to American using the Triangular Trade route and the Middle East passage created a drastic historical change in the slavery institution in America. Above 10 million enslaved Africans were transported to America through the Atlantic Slave Trade from 16th to the 19th century. America planters shamelessly bargained for slaves like an ordinary commodity, just for profit (Foner, 2017, p.106).

Economically, the early rulers of colonial America desired to become more wealthy by making huge profits from selling crops produced by unpaid slave labourers. The system of slavery began initially as temporary enslavement of indentured Europeans and Africans. However; as the production of crops, such as; sugar and demand for tobacco arose, the Colonies quest to acquire more black slaves who give them more advantage and service compared to the indentured servants. The slave institution played a crucial role in the modern world economy. Because slaves provided human labour needed to settle and develop the New World and produced the first mass consumer market goods; such as sugar, coffee, tobacco and even cotton (Foner, 2017, p.106). The slave trade definitely played a crucial role in world trade and economy.

The Colonial law was drafted to be very unfavourable and harsh towards the black slaves. Unlike the indentured European servants, the black slaves "terms of service" never expire and they cannot claim protection against the English Common Law (Foner, 2017, P.80). Forner Eric also writes that "racial distinction were enacted into law from the onset" ( Foner, 2017, p.83). Despite the fact that the law allowed free black slaves to sue, testify in court, purchase slaves, but it still treated anyone with African background as black and never allowed them to serve in the military. The Colonies became brutal and expanded through oppression, genocide and displacement of some indigenous people.

QUESTION: Respond to the 2 discussion posts above. Share your idea based on what is being said in posts A and B. Answer them separately. Thanks.