The Age-Old Problem of American Slavery

Slavery was an ongoing problem that can be seen throughout history. Although it may seem as if it was only prevalent in the United States, it started well before any slaves were ever brought to America. Despite all the negative things that happened to them, they were able to finally gain rights just as any of their fellow peers. Slavery was not only a fight for equality but rather a fight to be treated as a human being. Racism has occurred throughout history and continues to occur today.

The fact that the skin color of slaves was black had a great deal to do with why they were treated as less than human.

Prior to the beginning of the slavery in the Americas, slaves were already being used in the Eastern Atlantic. The sugar cane business was booming and they thought that black slaves imported from Africa would be the most effective way to get work done. The Spaniards saw this and it put the thought in their minds that using enslaved Africans for their own needs would be beneficial to them in the long run.

Christopher Columbus already had a black servant in 1500. The man’s name was Juan Moreno, which can be translated as “John the Black” in more English terms. Many believe that this was the same Juan who arrived with Columbus on his first trip to the Americas, however, that man’s name is Juan Portugués. On September 16, 1501 the Spanish Crown granted permission for their fellow people to bring slaves from Africa to the new colonies they were inhabiting.

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Although there was one major catch, the enslaved blacks had to be Christianized. Without this conversion of religion they would not be allowed to enter the Americas as Jews and Moors were already frowned upon.

Between the years of 1501 and 1505 slaves were brought to the new world by Spanish and Portuguése settlers. The Spaniards initially turned to slaves from Africa because the Indians were no longer a good fit for them. The Europeans brought a great deal of disease to the New World and because of it the Indians had been negatively affected. This meant that they were not appealing to the Spaniards. The Spaniards wanted people who could work and not be counterproductive due to an illness. Enslaved Africans were the next runners up.

By 1522 a group of slaves had already joined together and decided to revolt. It was this revolt that was believed to be the first one to ever occur. It took place in Saint Domingue which was actually on the Caribbean Island of Hispaniola. Despite their efforts, they failed and were stopped from accomplishing anything. All the enslaved wanted was freedom from those who were preventing them from leading a normal life. Unfortunately, freedom would not become available till long after this.