Introduction

Between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries, about 12.5 million people were forcibly transported from Africa to the America, then forced to work. They were men, women, and children. Many of them did not survive the long sea voyage. Those who did were sold in North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. As time went on, millions of people were born into slavery in the Americas.

The lives of these enslaved people varied. Their treatment depended on their gender and age, and where and when they lived. They were also impacted by the types of work they were forced to do.

Overall, though, systems of slavery in the Americas shared three characteristics. First, enslaved people of African descent were legally defined as property. Second, slavery was organized according to race. Lastly, slavery was motivated by economics; however, it was justified using religion and science.

Defining Characteristic 1:

Enslaved people of African descent were legally defined as property.

Enslaved people of African descent were human beings. However, they were legally considered property throughout the Americas. In other words, they were owned by other people and could be bought and sold like farm animals.

They were denied any rights and forced to work against their will. They were not paid and had no say in the terms of their labor. If they resisted or were disobedient, they faced severe physical abuse. Such punishments included whipping and other forms of torture.

Enslaved labor differed from other labor for two other reasons. First, the condition of slavery was inherited. When an enslaved woman had a baby, that baby became the “property” of the mother’s “owner.” As “property,” children could be sold and separated from their families. Second, enslaved status was a lifetime sentence. Most enslaved people remained enslaved for their entire lives.

Many of those who were enslaved tried to obtain their freedom. Some negotiated with their owners. They pursued ways to earn or buy their freedom, a rare achievement since they had little or no money. Others resisted by trying to escape. This choice required incredible courage. They risked their lives to flee for freedom, and faced severe punishment if caught.

Advertisements were sometimes placed to catch enslaved people attempting to escape. See the one below. What does it tell us about the risks they took to gain their freedom?

Advertisement announcing the escape of an enslaved person in Jamaica (1780)

Kingston Run away, a Negro boy, named YORK. He has a scar upon his face, close by his left ear, and marked upon his right shoulder W S. He is a good looking boy, and speaks good English. He is about 5 ft. 5 in. high, and may attempt to pass for free and get on board some vessel. This is to caution any person from employing him, in particular masters of vessels. Any person that can give information where he is to be found, or will lodge him in any [jail], shall receive a reward of one gold coin....

Defining Characteristic 2:

Slavery was organized according to race.

During the period of slavery, societies in the Americas were organized around inequality. In other words, it was considered normal for some people to have more rights and privileges than others. 

Slavery and racial hierarchy in the Americas

Wealthy people of European descent lived at society’s top. They were granted all the rights and privileges associated with freedom. In contrast, enslaved of African descent lived at the bottom of society. They had few if any rights. There was also a middle category. These were people of African descent who had been granted their freedom or were born free. Free people of African descent had the liberty to make important decisions about their lives. However, they did not have the same rights as people of European background.

Very specific laws shaped the lives of the enslaved and free people of African descent. For example, France published the Code Noir (Black Code) in 1685. Read excerpts below. Then reflect on ways the French defined who was legally enslaved.

Excerpts from the Code Noir (1685)

Article XII. Children born from marriages between slaves shall be slaves. If the husband and wife have different masters, the children shall belong to the masters of the female slave, not to the master of her husband.

Article XIII. We desire that if a male slave has married a free woman, their children, either male or female, shall be free as is their mother. And if the father is free and the mother a slave, the children shall also be slaves…

Article XIX. We also forbid slaves from selling any type of commodities, even fruit, vegetables, firewood, and animals. Any found doing so must have a letter from their masters granting express permission.

Conclusion?

How could such system of slavery be justified? After all, it was widespread practice among nations that claimed to champion freedom and liberty. Their justification relates to the third defining characteristic of enslavement: Slavery was motivated by economics; however, it was justified using religion and science.