Introduction
English colonies sprang up along the east coast for a variety of reasons. The original reason for migrating to Virginia was the desire to get rich because, in addition to the conditions created by the king to motivate people to settle in the New World, these regions were attracted by the search for gold and silver. Mostly men migrated first, looking for quick money, but there were no precious metals in Virginia, so agriculture became another reason for the move. People began to grow various cash crops, such as tobacco, and to establish the economy of the region. Another situation developed in Maryland, from a haven of Catholics soon became a refuge for all Christians. As a result of different motivations for resettlement in the New World, various aspects of regions’ development were formed. Over time, the territories expanded, thanks to which the features of the colonies spread and consolidated. In the English colonies, the English, especially from wealthy families, did not want to work, so slavery began to flourish in the New World.
Population of the Colonies and the Need for Labor
The king wanted more English colonies worldwide, so he supported migration to the New World. Many British people were rich so they could afford hired labor. The rest lived below the poverty line, so they were willing to work to leave England, which led to indentured slavery. However, they were not accustomed to hard work, which contributed to developing new ways to obtain labor. One way the work was done was to try to enslave the Native Americans. However, they were independent and difficult to enslave for forced cultivation, and my servants were temporary. As a result, farmers turned to importing enslaved Africans to meet their demand for labor. These enslaved people had a strong influence on southern farming practices, as well as on the social aspects of all of American society.
Formation of Slavery
Legal features varied by colony; to simulate migration, in Virginia, for example, anyone who brought in a new immigrant was entitled to the property. In this regard, since most wealthy Englishmen could afford both the move and the servants, over time, the leading power in Virginia was with those who, along with the slaves, accumulated land. The Chesapeake region offered few economic opportunities for indentured servants who had completed their working hours. However, few people could afford their own land, so they were forced to rent it and re-subscribe to contract slavery in order to be able to pay for it or generally live; however, it was not impossible.
Anthony Johnson was the first known black landowner in the English colonies. Former black slave Johnson was allowed to testify in court because he belonged to the Protestant church, indicating his societal position. On the other hand, John Casor, Anthony Johnson’s slave who caused the lawsuit against Johnson, was one of the first black Africans to receive a life contract due to the court’s decision. Thus, government processes and civil rights were only at the beginning of their development.
At first, whites, Indians, and black natives of Africa could fall into a slave state. However, the first two categories were very “restless.” The situation was different with the blacks: no one could stand up for them, and in the event of an escape, they could easily be seen in the crowd, distinguished by enviable health and endurance, and finally, they were quite cheap. After the economic unsuitability of white colonists and Indians for hard physical labor was revealed, Africans became the main commodity, which became the consolidation of the famous American slavery. Over time, especially in the middle of the 19th century, people understood how slavery worked, and the phenomenon became much more abusive.
Differences Between Colonies
New Englanders left Europe hoping for economic prosperity and a better chance at life. The settlers, who frequently moved to the regions of the New World, came with different motives, settled in different regions with different geography, and faced different circumstances. Over time, these striking differences contributed to the transformation of the two regions into two different societies. One of the first colonies where, among other things, slavery began to flourish was the Chesapeake Colony, specifically Virginia and Maryland.
In political and religious matters, Virginia differed significantly from other colonies. By all appearances, the colonial structure of the government of Virginia resembled that of the district courts of England and contrasted with the theocratic government of Massachusetts Bay. Religion was of secondary importance in the colony of Virginia, unlike, for example, in New England, where religious affiliation was more important than race.
The New England economy first specialized in marine or boat equipment. The middle colonies had rich agricultural land and a temperate climate, which made them a more suitable place for raising grain and livestock. Wealthy farmers grew cash crops and raised livestock. Mining and trade were also important aspects of their economy. City merchants sold their goods to other colonies. The inhabitants of the middle colonies maintained religious freedom and tolerance, in contrast to the same New England, and had a diverse population of different nationalities. However, this did not rule out the spread of slavery in the region. Although geographically, there was no particular need for the spread of slavery, it was also unprofitable economically (Kennedy and Cohe 353). In addition, slaves here had more chances for freedom and further normal life, so resistance sentiments began to spread (Kennedy and Cohe 370). In this regard, many regions were not so firmly attached to it compared to the slave-owning southern colonies.
Another situation developed in the Southern colonies, which had all the resources for slavery and the slave trade. Most of the labor force on these lands was made up of enslaved men and women of African descent. Those who were held as slaves had few if any, rights, and their families were often torn apart. Like the Middle Colonies, there was more religious freedom in the Southern Colonies than in New England, but the Church of England was in the majority.
The slave trade between the regions of North and South America was different in that the slaves in the states of South America were treated inhumanely. In addition, the South believed that the new states should have the right to allow slavery if they wanted to (Kennedy and Cohe 347). Although there was also a practice of self-liberation from slavery in the southern colonies, Blacks freed in the South were not as free as those freed in the North of America.
Revolution and Constitution
The Civil Wars between 1862 and 1865 led to a revolution in the slavery world. The decline of slavery during this period was most marked in the states to the north, where laws abolishing slavery were passed shortly after the end of the war (Kennedy and Cohe 299). Due to the fact that society was divided in its opinion regarding slavery, the changes brought about by the revolution were very slow. Nevertheless, even in the radicalized South, there were small but significant changes in the people’s minds; some slaves got their freedom.
Conclusion
In New England, cases of freeing black Africans from slavery also became known. Moreover, since the region was strongly religious from the beginning, the liberated could receive support from the church (Gross 95). Since that time, the word “slave” does not appear in the Constitution; Many of the creators of slavery harbored moral doubts about slavery. Some, including Benjamin Franklin (a former enslaver), became members of anti-slavery societies. Most of the amendments were based on the eradication of slave trades. The revolutions and amendments ensured that the abolition of slavery was actualized. Most of the amendments made were based on eradicating the slave trade. Repeal is believed to have ended around 1870 with the passage of the Twelfth Amendment when the right to vote was extended to blacks (Kennedy and Cohe 330). Revolutions and amendments ensured the actualization of the abolition of slavery and created equality between the various races.
Works Cited
Gross, Robert A. The Minutemen and Their World. Hill and Wang, 1976.
Kennedy, David M., and Lizabeth Cohen. The American Pageant. Cengage Learning, 2018.