Through the establishment of civilization had slavery been introduced to human history. Hunter-gatherer and other primitive farmers had no use for slaves because they hunted, collected, and/or grew just enough food for themselves and one more pair of hands just meant another mouth to feed. Though there is no economic advantage in owning another human being while belonging within a hunter-gatherer society, once people gather in towns and cities a wide range of crafts in town are possible while food and resources are created on the countryside on large estates and plantations. On a large farm or in a workshop, costing no more than food and shelter, there is the real benefit in a reliable source of cheap labor. Such are the conditions for slavery that every
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Furthermore, Slave owners and state governments tried to prevent slaves from making or playing musical instruments yet in spite of these restrictions slaves were able to create strong musical traditions that drew on their African heritage in which music, songs and dances were similar to those performed or played in Africa. In doing this, they were resisting the dehumanizing effects of slavery.
During the antebellum years, period of American history that is usually considered to be the years before the civil war and after the War of 1812 (“Antebellum Period”), slavery took many forms. Some enslaved laborers worked as hired-out field workers, house servants, worked in mills and mines, and some belonged to small farmers. Most slaves, however, were agricultural laborers that worked on plantations that produced crops essential to sales on national and international markets (Oakes, James). The majority of enslaved Africans being transported to the new world were from the West Coast of Africa and brought with them a wide range of local religious beliefs and practices. Unfortunately, due to the harsh circumstances under which most slaves preserving African religions in North
Furthermore, Slave owners and state governments tried to prevent slaves from making or playing musical instruments yet in spite of these restrictions slaves were able to create strong musical traditions that drew on their African heritage in which music, songs and dances were similar to those performed or played in Africa. In doing this, they were resisting the dehumanizing effects of slavery.
During the antebellum years, period of American history that is usually considered to be the years before the civil war and after the War of 1812 (“Antebellum Period”), slavery took many forms. Some enslaved laborers worked as hired-out field workers, house servants, worked in mills and mines, and some belonged to small farmers. Most slaves, however, were agricultural laborers that worked on plantations that produced crops essential to sales on national and international markets (Oakes, James). The majority of enslaved Africans being transported to the new world were from the West Coast of Africa and brought with them a wide range of local religious beliefs and practices. Unfortunately, due to the harsh circumstances under which most slaves preserving African religions in North