Crash Course World History: Slavery

Introduction

• Focus: “Peculiar institution” of slavery, mainly pre-Civil War American context.

Historical Context

• Slavery is ancient, not as old as humanity.
• Atlantic Slave Trade:
  • Duration: 1500 to 1880 CE.
  • 10-12 million Africans forcibly moved to Americas.
  • 15% died during the journey.
  • Main destinations: 48% to the Caribbean, 41% to Brazil, 5% to the U.S.
• Europe’s history of slavery began with the 4th Crusade (1204).
• Italian merchants imported slaves (Armenians, Circassians, Georgians) primarily for sugar processing.
• Slaves mainly produced non-neccesary crops (coffee, tobacco) for human pleasure

Misconceptions About Slavery

• Africans were not simply captured by Europeans.
• Africans were captured by other Africans
• European-African slave trade involved trade of goods (metal tools, textiles, guns) for slaves.

Economics of Slavery

• Slaves as property and economic commodities.
• Conditions on slave ships were horrendous (4 sq. ft. per person).
• Slaves sold in markets like cattle, often branded.
• Slavery was crucial for agricultural labor:
  • Key crops: sugar, tobacco, coffee (non-essential goods).
  • Harsh labor conditions, particularly in sugar plantations (e.g., fertilizing, carrying manure, working without sleep).

Variations in Slavery Conditions

• In Brazil: average life expectancy of slaves was 23 years.
• In the U.S., conditions allowed for natural population growth among slaves.
• Continuous importation needed in Brazil due to harsh conditions.

Slavery in Context

• Chattel Slavery: Slaves were movable property.
• Overuse of the term “slave” in modern contexts (e.g., political rhetoric).

Definition and Impact

• Definition by Orlando Patterson: “Permanent, violent and personal domination of natally alienated and generally dishonoured persons.”
• Slavery involves “social death” and dehumanization.

Historical Models of Slavery

• Greek Influence:
  • Slaves were “barbarians” unable to speak Greek.
  • Aristotle’s belief in natural slaves.
• Roman Influence:
  • Slaves made up 30% of population.
  • Development of plantation system (latifundia).
• Judeo-Christian Influence:
  • Biblical justifications for slavery.
  • Curse of Ham used to justify African enslavement.
• Muslim Influence:
  • Import of Bantu-speaking Africans (Zanj).
  • Revolt led to a reconsideration of large-scale agriculture.

Conclusion

• Atlantic slavery: culmination of millennia of viewing “the other” as lesser.
• Blame cannot be pinned on a single group, shared historical responsibility.