Carly Johnson
History 1302
Professor Lane
Generations of Captivity When thinking of American slavery, most Americans are inclined to view it in the same way: slaves in the South growing and picking cotton with little to no say into what happens to them. This view, however, is based on the period of slavery in the mid-nineteenth century. Although the years of slavery preceding that time had an enormous influence on how mid-nineteenth century slavery took shape, it is often overlooked. In Ira Berlin’s Generation of Captivity, the idea that different generations of slaves in different regions of North America had an influence on the identity of slavery is supported through their constant struggle and negotiation with masters throughout the history of slavery. When slaves were first brought to the New World, in the Charter Generation, they were typically treated the same throughout the colonies. They were given a certain amount of freedom, while still being labeled as slaves. There were not many plantations at the time so blacks were the major labor force. In most cases, they were allowed to live their own lives in a way, like the Creole Anthony Johnson who was married with kids and even owned land while still working for his master. This …show more content…
Unlike the slaves before them, “their successors were not nearly as fortunate. They worked harder and died earlier.” In all parts of North America, the need for slaves increased. In the South, they were purchased in large amounts to satisfy the amount of labor needed in the plantations. Although the North did not have many plantations, slaves were used for work force and were seen as a way of showing prosperity. The transition from a society with slaves to a slave society had resulted in blacks no longer being viewed as people but as objects that could quickly be replaced after their imminent
History 1302
Professor Lane
Generations of Captivity When thinking of American slavery, most Americans are inclined to view it in the same way: slaves in the South growing and picking cotton with little to no say into what happens to them. This view, however, is based on the period of slavery in the mid-nineteenth century. Although the years of slavery preceding that time had an enormous influence on how mid-nineteenth century slavery took shape, it is often overlooked. In Ira Berlin’s Generation of Captivity, the idea that different generations of slaves in different regions of North America had an influence on the identity of slavery is supported through their constant struggle and negotiation with masters throughout the history of slavery. When slaves were first brought to the New World, in the Charter Generation, they were typically treated the same throughout the colonies. They were given a certain amount of freedom, while still being labeled as slaves. There were not many plantations at the time so blacks were the major labor force. In most cases, they were allowed to live their own lives in a way, like the Creole Anthony Johnson who was married with kids and even owned land while still working for his master. This …show more content…
Unlike the slaves before them, “their successors were not nearly as fortunate. They worked harder and died earlier.” In all parts of North America, the need for slaves increased. In the South, they were purchased in large amounts to satisfy the amount of labor needed in the plantations. Although the North did not have many plantations, slaves were used for work force and were seen as a way of showing prosperity. The transition from a society with slaves to a slave society had resulted in blacks no longer being viewed as people but as objects that could quickly be replaced after their imminent