Racism and the Development of Slavery in Virginia
Although racism played a major role in slavery in Virginia from 1640 to 1676, there were other just as important factors that played a role as well. Pre-existing slavery had been around for thousands of years, as well the concept of slave trading. Secondly, slavery can be caused by a need for cheap labor to benefit a growing economy. Lastly, one's race did not always label you as a slave, as some blacks were able to gain their freedom and build a credible reputation as a property holder, as well as possess slaves of their own. Racism's role in slavery in Virginia has been stated by many historians and civil rights figures. One such figure, Winthrop D. Jordan, concluded that prejudice and slavery reinforced one another over the seventeenth century and "may have been equally cause and effect, constantly reacting upon each other, dynamically joining hands to hustle the Negro down the road to complete degradation" (Jordan, Breen 20). Blacks and whites also formed "solid, largely self-contained blocs" (Breen 22).Racial laws were in pl
It was only a matter of time before slavery was introduced into American society and accepted with ease. The need for a cheap labor system in an expanding economy was also another major factor for slavery in Virginia. Anthony also owned slaves and went to court over a dispute to whether the slave was his or his former master's. One such man, Anthony Johnson, acquired his freedom through hard work and service. ace in colonial statutes that denied black people rights enjoyed by whites. One such law prohibited the right to bear firearms to blacks, although there is an argument whether it was for all blacks or just slaves. Thousands of settlers, along with some number of slaves, were sent to work for the company in the Chesapeake to produce "an impressive array of new commodities, silk and potash, iron and glass" (Breen 9) along with select individuals who were granted "special patents to establish particular plantations" (Breen 9). In conclusion, racism did play a role in slavery in Virginia from 1640 to 1676. Slavery had pre-existed all around the world for thousands of years before this time and most people did not see anything wrong with it. When hard times fell upon them, Anthony's wife and daughter's were excused from public levies, which made them "equal of any white woman in Northampton County" (Breen 12). Anthony and his wife would eventually gain a modest estate and become important citizens in their community of white and black people alike. However, other important factors, such as the existence of slavery before this time and it social acceptability, the need for a cheap labor force for a growing economy, and the free black man who had a crucial part in some communities and possessed the same rights as that of white men, all disprove that racism was the sole cause of slavery in this region at this time. For example, before 1620, the Virginia Company of London launched a program to make some capitol off of it holdings in America. In the end, he won ownership because he "forged patronage links stronger than those which his master had built up over the years" (Breen 15). African slave trade in particular had been around in Africa for some time, as warring tribes would make slaves out of the losing tribe.
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Acceptance Essays
