BLACK HISTORY MONTH: THE FIRST 20

Black American History as we know it started in 1619. The first Africans as slave labor are introduced in America by a Dutch trader. He exchanges his cargo of 20 Africans for food in Jamestown Virginia, in August of 1619. Althought slavery already extisted in America, mostly poor European indentured servants — but overtime it became cheaper and a more plentiful labor source to have African slaves. The American slavery system became more developed and codified in its inhumane treatment around 1680. By 1637, The first slave ship was built in Massachusetts, also known as slavers. They would sail from America to West Africa in exchange for goods. In 1641, a Massachusetts colony legalizes slavery.

America and West Africa found themselves exchanging guns for slaves. Contrary to popular belief, in most instances, the Americans did not need to use any force to capture slaves. The slaves were “sold” more or less legally by their African owners. Scholars estimate that about 12,000,000 Africans were sold by Africans to Americans (most of them before 1776, before USA was born). The legends of Americans mercenaries capturing free people in the jungle are mostly just that: legends. A few mercenaries certainly stormed peaceful tribes and committed terrible crimes, but that was not the rule. There was no need to risk their lives, so most of them didn’t: they simply purchased people.

Yet, the definition of slavery in Africa was not tantamount to the American vision of slavery. Slavery in Africa was a symbol of honor and not an instrument of wealth and greed. African slaves were permitted to live very normal lives. They had sanction to marry, own property, and customary legal rights. Many of them had significant skill and learning. While in America slaves underwent brutal beatings, hard labor, and lack of respect.

Interesting Facts

- The price tag for an African male was around $27, while the salary of a European laborer was about seventy cents per day.

- The Dutch were the first, apparently, to import black slaves into North America, but Africa slaves had already been employed all over the world, including South and Central America.

- Some scholars claim Africans had contact with Native Americans prior to Columbus in 1492. There is some evidence of contact between Africans and Native Americans.

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http://link.history.com/services/player/bcpid7250895001?bctid=7217546001