The colonial United States was founded by men who argued for freedom for all but, nonetheless, allowed the practice of slavery. The system became the core and strength of the economies of some areas of the young nation. All residents of the colonies, including the slaves, affected the development of the culture. Slavery had a negative impact on the culture and economy of the colonies. In areas that relied heavily on slave labor, the economy became too narrowly focused on agricultural activities and industrialization was delayed. Slavery had limited opportunity to contribute to the culture, which slowed progress. Colonial people had differing opinions about the institution, which adversely affected the development of a unified identity. All people and institutions in early American history were impacted by slavery. Where slave owning was accepted, the local economy soon looked very different from a region where slavery was less common.
The economic impact of slavery differed between regions. Distinct economies developed in different areas of early America. The South focused on the production of food products and raw materials, such as sugar, tobacco, rice, hemp, and cotton. The Northern regions grew a strong manufacturing and commercial based economy as the country was not well suited to the production of staple crop. The South became the source of a wide array of agricultural products for many reasons, including the longer growing season, soil which was most compatible with certain crops, and the abundance of land available for agriculture. The most important reason was the availability of slaves as a large, inexpensive work force. Yale University Professor, David Davis points out that slavery was essential to the growth of commercial capitalism in the New World. While the Northern regions of America did not have a large number of slaves, many areas were dependent on Southern slave owning regions for raw materials and for markets.The demand for these crops increased in both the North and in Europe.As a result, Southern plantation owners made significant profits selling their goods.With the introduction of new methods to manufacture cotton, the value of slaves was increased. The strong markets for their products created substantial wealth for the plantation owners, and a captive labor force, so there was very little reason for the slave owners to want to change a system that was working for them. The initial positive results achieved with the use of slave labor, eventually resulted in the South suffering economically. At times, overproduction of cotton actually decreased the price of cotton. With an economy based substantially on production of agricultural goods and raw materials, the South became very dependent on continuing demand from the North and on international markets. When that demand was decreased, whether as a result of economic problems or wars, the South suffered as it did not have other industries to provide jobs. It was also this type of dependency and restriction on activities that delayed the cultural progress of slaves.
Slavery made it difficult for African-Americans to contribute to the culture of the colonies. Slave traders made an effort to intentionally separate Africans from other Africans who spoke the same languages. Colonial laws prohibited slaves from owning musical instruments or being taught to read and write. Masters were more likely to free slaves who were unproductive.Without the ability to communicate easily, slaves were less likely to band together to rebel but were also less able to transmit their thoughts and beliefs to each other. The Applied History Research Group notes that, “Today, the music of jazz, the blues, reggae, rap, hip-hop, and gospel, as well as a revival in interest in the spiritual itself, provide a stunning aural testament to the strength of African musical culture.”
Unfortunately, the colonial laws hindered uneducated slaves from sharing their ideas and stories through books or music and this delayed their ability to fully contribute the developing culture. It was difficult for slaves to share their gifts but easy for society to find fault with African Americans. Uneducated freed slaves, particularly those who were already known to be unproductive, had trouble supporting themselves. This allowed for the development of the stereotype of African Americans as lazy and incapable. Actually, there is evidence that if slaves had been given more opportunity they might have helped the growth of the colonies. One freed slave became one of the richest men in South Carolina. Restrictive laws and false stereotypes limited African Americans from contributing to the culture and had a negative impact. By preventing slaves from adding anything but free labor, slavery slowed the development of a diverse community. The institution promoted discrimination and tension between different groups of people.
Differing opinions about slavery created problems in colonial America because people disagreed about whether it should be allowed. Quakers were divided over whether the institution was acceptable.Many European nations no longer allowed slavery. Quakers, both in the colonies and in Europe, argued that the practice contradicted their religious beliefs. Northerners were less likely to own slaves and less likely to support it than Southerners. Indentured servants were used more than slaves in the North, possibly because the manufacturing jobs and crops, such as tobacco, were better suited to skilled labor. Religious groups became divided instead of unified because of opposing views. European countries pointed out the hypocrisy of a supposedly free America that permitted slavery. A well respected English scientist and lawyer, Thomas Cooper, called for the end of slavery. Englishman, Isaac Holmes, wrote, “The Americans may boast of the rights of man, the great law of nature, as being the basis of their constitution; they may declaim against tyranny and oppression; yet every man who becomes a slave-holder in Missouri is a tyrant of their creation.” The issue also created a constant tension between the North and the South, which eventually contributed to the American Civil War. These disputes made it difficult for the country to unify and gain respect from other countries. Slavery negatively impacted the culture by separating groups into those who were and were not opposed to it. Instead of moving forward, the colonial civilization was held back because of slavery.
Colonial America formed a new culture that was defined by slavery. It hindered the economic development of the South which did not develop a strong manufacturing industry. Cultural progress was slowed because African Americans were denied the opportunity to make contributions to music and literature. Slavery harmed colonial culture because it created division between people. Slavery had a negative impact on the economy and culture of early America. The damage resulting from the institution can never be fully repaired.
