The Constitution of the United States of America adopted in 1787, made it legal to maintain slavery in the United States allowing for the continuation of the Atlantic Slave trade. The Constitution, made clear that Africans were 3/5 human, and considered property. It must be noted that the American Government’s 3/5 clause was legally using “race” to justify slavery, stating that Africans were unsuited for freedom or citizenship. To maintain legal slavery the American government created the Fugitive Slave Acts of 1793 and 1850 permitting slave owners to recover slaves who escaped to other states.
From 1700-1770, the Tobacco colonies in America imported 80,000 African slaves and most of their descendants were born into slavery. This labor force in America made up of “Free Forced African Labor” was an overwhelming important factor to the American economy and the expansion into new territories. American Railroads were built specifically to move agricultural goods farmed by enslaved people and slaves were instrumental in the building of the railroad tracks.
In 1793, the Cotton Gin was invented making cotton the most lucrative American export and expanding slavery in America. As cotton became King, the enslaved African workforce grew to millions of Africans. Slave labor lead to the economic development of the American economy not only with cotton, but tobacco, sugar, and hemp used to make rope and bagging cotton bales. In fact, Slavery became Americas’ largest financial asset and America’s First Big Business (Lockhart 2019).
One of the most significant cases in the History of America was the Dred Scott Decision; Judge Taney ruled that Scott and every black American could not sue in a Federal Court, because black people were not citizens and that therefore had not rights and that Scott was slave property and slave owner’s property took precedence.
Yes, Slavery caused the Civil War in 1861, and it would be the war to end slavery. Many Africans served and fought in the Civil War including my Great Grand Father, Oliver Wigg-1864- Sailor U.S. N. Beaufort, South Carolina.
In 1862, President Lincoln signed a bill ending slavery and providing restitution to slave owners in the District of Columbia. Slave owners received on average of $300.00 for every freed slave. The newly freed slave people received “Nothing”. However the constitution was amended and the 13th amendment officially ended Slavery in America.
On July 1865, United States General Howard issued Circular 13 ordering Agents to set aside forty acre plots for freedmen. But the allocation had hardly begun when the order was revoked and it was announced that land already distributed under General Sherman was to return this land to its previous white owners.
As we discussed the finances and the American economy, Wall Street, became the first official slave market for the sale and rental of enslaved Africans. New York received 40% of the cotton revenue shipping business. The Banks, including J.P. Morgan, Citibank, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo would sell securities that helped fund the expansion of slave run plantations. If plantation owners defaulted on a loan payment the Bank took ownership of their slaves. Banks also counted slaves as assets when assessing a person’ wealth. American insurance policies were purchased to protect against the risk of a sinking ship and the risk of losing individuals slaves once they made it to America. Some of the largest insurance firms in the United States, included New York Life, AIG, and Aetna sold policies that insured slave owners would be compensated if the slaves they owned were injured or killed.
During 250 years of free labor Africans built some of the most prominent ivy league universities and The University of Virginia which was found by slave owning, Thomas Jefferson. Enslaved people built these white colleges and served their faculty and students but were denied admission. And Yes enslaved Africans built the White house.
This journey for reparation takes us to the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendment.
Part III will deal with Reconstruction and separate but equal?
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Email: Larry.B.Seabrook@gmail.com