The sign on the tree, which read “Runaway Slave! $2,500 Reward. Slave’s name is George. Tall, lanky, strong…” George looked at this sign, though he could not read it, he recognized his name on the poster, and feared for his life. He knew he would face severe punishment if somebody found him. He raced on across a bridge. The moonless night was a blessing, he thought, as ran past a dark farmhouse. However, something told him that this escape would not be his last. Moments later, he heard the clip clop of horse hooves, and he covered his eyes with his hands as a bright beam blinded him. Although this story is only fictional, it represents both the tension and the fear that a slave may face in an escape and possible recapture.
“In the beginning …show more content…
Almost from the most ancient records, we can see proof that slavery did indeed exist. Ironically, one of the first peoples recorded to practice slavery were African, specifically Egyptians. At around 1780 B.C., Hammurabi, a Babylonian king, made a code of laws, one of which regarded the taking of slaves, and the receiving of a runaway slave. “If anyone take a male or female slave of the court, or a male or female slave of a freed man, outside the city gates [to escape], he shall be put to death” (Ancient Man and His First Civilizations). Other sources regarding ancient slavery can be found in the Bible, when Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. This dates to around 1300 B.C. In conclusion, people invented slavery many millenniums ago, and today, people have ancient records of …show more content…
Early in the history of slavery, slaves worked primarily in the tobacco industry, as this provided the most profit. However, by 1784, the industry started to dwindle and become less and less economical—the slaves became less economical as well. Slavery became “less useful to farmers as tobacco prices fluctuated and began to drop” (Civil War Trust). This almost ended slavery, until Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, a machine that made it easy to produce textiles from cotton, which grew most easily in the South. After this, the slave industry boomed. Despite the horrific method, slaves helped to build our country to how it is
“In the beginning …show more content…
Almost from the most ancient records, we can see proof that slavery did indeed exist. Ironically, one of the first peoples recorded to practice slavery were African, specifically Egyptians. At around 1780 B.C., Hammurabi, a Babylonian king, made a code of laws, one of which regarded the taking of slaves, and the receiving of a runaway slave. “If anyone take a male or female slave of the court, or a male or female slave of a freed man, outside the city gates [to escape], he shall be put to death” (Ancient Man and His First Civilizations). Other sources regarding ancient slavery can be found in the Bible, when Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. This dates to around 1300 B.C. In conclusion, people invented slavery many millenniums ago, and today, people have ancient records of …show more content…
Early in the history of slavery, slaves worked primarily in the tobacco industry, as this provided the most profit. However, by 1784, the industry started to dwindle and become less and less economical—the slaves became less economical as well. Slavery became “less useful to farmers as tobacco prices fluctuated and began to drop” (Civil War Trust). This almost ended slavery, until Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, a machine that made it easy to produce textiles from cotton, which grew most easily in the South. After this, the slave industry boomed. Despite the horrific method, slaves helped to build our country to how it is