Here’s a myth of American slavery that is taken as gospel by most. Most people believe that slave owners sole reason for having slaves was so that they had someone to beat on. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Slaves were property. Very expensive property. Why would a slave owner allow their very expensive property to be beaten incessantly? The obvious answer is, they wouldn’t. Of course some slaves were beaten. No one denies that. It was not, however, an everyday occurrence. Was slavery evil? Of course it was. Does that mean every slave owner was an evil S.O.B.? Apparently not, since at the conclusion of the Civil War many slaves chose to remain and work at the very same plantations that they were enslaved at. I wonder if anyone has done an honest study comparing slavery conditions between the U.S., the Caribbean islands, and South America (the latter two places are where almost all of the African slaves went).
You're right about the abuse of slaves by American owners. It was far from widespread for exactly the reasons you cited. Many slaveholders were decent, compassionate people who simply took advantage of an institution they themselves had no part in creating.
It is ludicrous to judge 17th century people by 21st century standards.
You're right about the abuse of slaves by American owners. It was far from widespread for exactly the reasons you cited. Many slaveholders were decent, compassionate people who simply took advantage of an institution they themselves had no part in creating.
It is ludicrous to judge 17th century people by 21st century standards.
I understand all of the arguments. I really do. My great great grandfather and his brothers fought for the Union. His youngest brother died on the first night of Cold Harbor.
It was a horrible situation. And it was a long time ago.
But arguing that we treated our SLAVES better than others is not an argument that will get anyone far at the Pearly Gates.