The Present Day Economy

Throughout the history of our United States, many factors have contributed to the ultimate growth and development of the magnitude of our present-day economy. None, however, could be compared to the size of the impact attributed to the institution of slavery in the Antebellum South during the 1800’s. And although slavery is considered today to be “the most inhumane institution,” there is no denying the fact that its existence substantially benefitted the prosperity of the American economy during the time of its practice. The account of one man during this time, a slave, shows us another glimpse into the period which was so heavily influenced by slavery and another point of view from which we can interpret and hope to use in order to understand …show more content…
Their importance to the growth of the Southern economy was so critical that they would work day in and day out for the benefit of their owners. Solomon throughout the duration of his servitude performed many sorts of tasks for the men he served. He worked as a farmer of cotton and sugar and eventually earned the positions of driver and overseer on the plantations which he worked. These jobs run parallel to the most important jobs of the South at the time. Cash crops were the largest source of income for the South. Cotton, for example, proved to be the single largest export for the South, representing nearly all of the crop used in textile mills in the North, and overseas, 70% in British mills (Digital History, The Economics of Slavery). The methods by which these crops were harvested in Northup’s account was also typical. Gang labor was one system implemented in the South to increase production from slaves. Solomon experienced this system of labor while in the fields of the plantations. The increase of productivity coming from this style of work was what made it so popular amongst plantations. Other occupations held by Solomon include assisting his master as a carpenter and playing the violin for various functions outside of as well as in the plantations. These occupations were also typical since it was not unusual for slaves to hold talents outside of the fields. Solomon …show more content…
The slave trade in the United States was a massive and largely lucrative enterprise. Even after the ban on international slave trade in 1807 (Henretta), domestic trade remained strong and the number of slaves being purchased by plantation owners continued to rise. In the case of Solomon Northup, the means by which he entered slavery was highly unusual. Born a free man, Solomon was tricked and kidnapped in the city of Washington D.C. which was, at the time, an epicenter for domestic slave trade. Solomon was forced into bondage and his identity was stripped from him. He was carried to the South where he would be sold to the highest bidder, and he wouldn’t be cheap either. To rich plantation owners, these purchases were seen as an investment, figuring that although they were paying high prices, the labor that these workers provided would amount to larger overall profit for the plantation. This relationship developed into a positive feedback loop, as rich white plantation owners purchased more slave, their wealth grew, allowing them to buy even more slaves. The southern income per capita skyrocketed and changing the economics as well as society of the South as the number of rich planters decreased and slave population continued to grow (Mackay, Economics of Slavery). Slavery, too, boosted other markets. As mentioned before, the textile industry