As the American Revolution started to unwind, the Civil War was starting. One of the main causes of the war was slavery. African American people were taken from Africa in order to help white plantation owners with their lands. In other words, they were slaves. This idea of slaves started with slave trades in Ancient Rome. Ships carried about ten to twelve million slaves to America in the 1500s to 1800s. Slaves were also present in time before the 1800s. In 1942, after Columbus found America, the Europeans tried to enslave the Indians living on the land to work on their sugar cane fields. By the time 1750 rolled around there were 250 black slaves living in European colonies doing all kinds of work.
Some slaves planted, harvested, and tended to the fields on the plantation , while other slaves were house servants, and coachmen. The slaves worked under the task system and the gang system. While working under the task system, slaves could do whatever they wanted after work was done. Under the gang system, slaves worked from sunup to sundown.
Alongside their work and tasks, family and religion was a priority. Marriage was illegal for slaves, but they still considered themselves married to their partners. Their masters supported the marriage because it meant a greater slave population. Religion was an important part in the slaves' lives, with or without their master. Services were held at plantations and churches, though churches were still segregated. Even though they had religion to guide them and give them a sense of hope, life was still hard for the slaves.
A slave code was put on them, restricting them to only sixteen hours on Sunday, no education and messaging was not allowed. Certain crimes they committed, including running away, faking sick, working slow, and taking extra food, were tried in court. Punishments for slaves were merciless and brutal. Slaves would hurt or kill themselves just to free themselves from this torture, but their masters didn't care. Aboliti onists were the only people who felt that everyone should be free and equal. They didn't care about the consequences. But since everyone enjoyed having slaves, this dream never happened and instead slave codes where set up.
These codes stated that slaves who runaway would be killed, another master was not allowed to steal or brand someone else's slave, owners could not conceal runaway slaves, slaves are not allowed to be literate, alcohol was not to be sold to slaves, and that slaves couldn't go anywhere without a pass or ticket. Runaway slaves were a big problem in the South and were prohibited. If slaves were caught running away, they would either be beaten or killed. Which is why "The Underground Railroad" was set up. The railroad was a system that helped runway slaves escape to the North without getting caught. Some white people assisted in this event but it was mainly blacks. Hundreds of slaves made it to freedom each year because of this system which was started towards the end of the 18th century. It was named "The Underground Railroad" in 1831 when steam railroads were created.
Many people participated in the railroad. Harriet Tubman was one of these people. She made nineteen trips to the South and helped over three hundred slaves escape. Tubman was a dedicated abolitionist and helped in anyway she could. She served as a cook, nurse and spy before dying in 1813.
Slavery was tough and hard, but it continued throughout the nation. Many African Americans were hurt and lost their lives fighting for their freedom. Slavery was a major reason for the start of the Civil War and can not be forgotten.
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