Arizona State University
HST 334 African American history since 1865
Unit II Lecture Notes
Spring 2022
The Legacy of Slavery: Understanding its Continuing Impact on African Americans Today
I. Introduction: Slavery and Its Lasting Legacy
Slavery, one of the most brutal and inhumane institutions in human history, has had a lasting
impact on African Americans in the United States. Slavery, which lasted for over 200 years, was
a system in which Africans were forcibly brought to the United States and subjected to forced
labor, violence, and other forms of abuse. In this introductory section, we will discuss the impact
of slavery and its lasting legacy on African Americans today.
A. Slavery and Its Historical Context
Slavery in the United States began in the early 17th century when the first Africans were
brought to Virginia in 1619. Over the next two centuries, millions of Africans were
forcibly taken from their homes and transported to the United States, where they were
subjected to forced labor, violence, and other forms of abuse. Slavery was a system of
oppression that stripped African people of their humanity, dignity, and basic human
rights.
B. The Legacy of Slavery
The legacy of slavery is still evident in American society today. African Americans
continue to face social, economic, and political inequalities, which are rooted in the
history of slavery and the long-term effects of slavery. For example, African Americans
have lower rates of homeownership, higher rates of poverty, and are disproportionately
represented in the criminal justice system. The legacy of slavery has also had a profound
impact on African American culture, music, literature, and art.
C. The Importance of Understanding the Impact of Slavery on African Americans Today
It is important to understand the impact of slavery on African Americans today because it helps
us to understand the root causes of social, economic, and political inequalities that still exist. The
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legacy of slavery has had a profound impact on African American identity, culture, and history.
By understanding this history, we can work towards creating a more just and equitable society
for all.
I. Historical Context of Slavery in the United States
A. The Transatlantic Slave Trade
The transatlantic slave trade was a brutal and horrific system of forced migration that
took place between the 16th and 19th centuries.
This trade saw millions of Africans taken from their homes and forced into slavery in the
Americas.
According to historian Eric Williams, the slave trade was essential to the development of
European capitalism and provided the foundation for the economic development of the
United States (Williams, 1944).
The transatlantic slave trade began in the 16th century, as European nations began to explore and
colonize the Americas. These explorations brought European powers into contact with the
African continent, which they began to view as a source of cheap labor for their new colonies.
Europeans began to purchase enslaved Africans from local African rulers and merchants, and
then transport them across the Atlantic to the Americas.
The slave trade was an incredibly brutal and inhumane system. Enslaved Africans were forcibly
taken from their homes, often through violence and coercion, and then transported across the
ocean in cramped and unsanitary conditions. Many did not survive the journey, and those who
did were often subject to horrific abuse and exploitation once they arrived in the Americas.
The impact of the slave trade on African societies was devastating. The demand for enslaved
Africans created a system of warfare and enslavement within Africa itself, as local rulers and
merchants sought to capture and sell as many slaves as possible. This led to the depopulation of
many African regions and the disruption of traditional societies.
The transatlantic slave trade was a crucial aspect of the development of European capitalism and
the global economy. It provided European powers with a source of cheap labor that allowed them
to extract vast amounts of wealth from the Americas. The profits from the slave trade helped to
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finance the growth of European industry and commerce, and were essential to the development
of the United States as a major economic power.
B. The Role of Slavery in the US Economy
Slavery played a critical role in the US economy, particularly in the South.
Enslaved Africans were used as laborers on plantations, in agriculture, and in other
industries such as mining and construction.
According to historian Walter Johnson, slavery was an essential component of the
capitalist economy in the United States, providing a source of cheap labor that enabled
the accumulation of wealth (Johnson, 2013).
Slavery played a crucial role in the development of the United States as a major economic
power. Enslaved Africans were used as laborers on plantations, in agriculture, and in other
industries such as mining and construction. They provided the labor necessary to produce the
raw materials that were essential to the growth of American industry and commerce.
The economic benefits of slavery were concentrated in the South, where the plantation system
was dominant. Plantations were large-scale agricultural operations that produced crops such as
cotton, tobacco, and sugar cane. These crops were grown using slave labor, which allowed
plantation owners to produce vast amounts of wealth at relatively low cost.
The impact of slavery on the Southern economy was profound. The profits generated by the
plantation system helped to finance the growth of Southern industry and commerce, and allowed
Southern states to maintain a level of political power within the United States. The economic
benefits of slavery were not limited to the South, however. Northern industries such as textiles
and shipping also benefited from the profits generated by the slave trade and the plantation
system.
C. The Dehumanization of Enslaved Africans
Enslaved Africans were forcibly taken from their homes and transported across the Atlantic to
work in the Americas. During this brutal process, they were stripped of their humanity and
treated as property rather than as human beings. This dehumanization was reinforced by laws
and social customs that denied enslaved Africans basic human rights and freedoms. In this
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lecture, we will explore the ways in which enslaved Africans were dehumanized, and how this
dehumanization impacted their lives.
The Transatlantic Slave Trade
The Transatlantic Slave Trade began in the 15th century and continued until the 19th century.
During this time, millions of Africans were forcibly taken from their homes and transported
across the Atlantic to work on plantations in the Americas. This brutal process involved the
separation of families, the chaining of enslaved Africans, and the cramped and unsanitary
conditions of the slave ships. Enslaved Africans were treated as property from the moment they
were captured and sold into slavery.
The Dehumanization of Enslaved Africans
Enslaved Africans were dehumanized in a number of ways. These include:
1. Denial of Basic Human Rights
Enslaved Africans were denied basic human rights and freedoms. They were not allowed to own
property, marry without the permission of their owners, or receive an education. They were also
denied the right to practice their own religion, speak their own language, or participate in cultural
practices from their homelands.
2. Racial Stereotyping
Enslaved Africans were often stereotyped as inferior and uncivilized. This stereotype was used to
justify their enslavement and to reinforce the idea that they were not fully human. Enslaved
Africans were depicted as lazy, unintelligent, and prone to violence. These stereotypes were
perpetuated through literature, art, and popular culture.
3. Physical Abuse
Enslaved Africans were subjected to physical abuse and torture. They were whipped, beaten, and
punished for even the smallest infractions. This physical abuse was designed to reinforce the idea
that enslaved Africans were not fully human and were therefore not deserving of basic human
rights and freedoms.
4. Forced Labor
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Enslaved Africans were forced to work long hours in brutal conditions. They were often forced
to work in dangerous environments, such as sugar plantations or mines. Enslaved Africans were
also forced to work in extreme weather conditions, with little or no protection from the elements.
5. Sexual Exploitation
Enslaved African women were often sexually exploited by their owners. They were forced to
have sex with their owners or with other enslaved Africans. Enslaved African men were also
sexually exploited, but to a lesser extent.
Impact of Dehumanization on Enslaved Africans
The dehumanization of enslaved Africans had a profound impact on their lives. They were
stripped of their dignity, their culture, and their humanity. This had a number of negative effects,
including:
1. Mental Health
Enslaved Africans suffered from a range of mental health problems as a result of their
enslavement. These included depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Enslaved Africans also suffered from feelings of hopelessness and despair, as they were trapped
in a system that denied them basic human rights and freedoms.
2. Physical Health
Enslaved Africans were subjected to brutal working conditions that often led to physical injuries
and illnesses. They were also denied access to basic healthcare, which meant that even minor
illnesses could become life-threatening.
3. Family Life
Enslaved Africans were often separated from their families as a result of the slave trade. This had
a profound impact on their lives, as they were denied the opportunity to form strong family
bonds. Many enslaved Africans also had children
Continuing Impact of Slavery on African Americans Today
Although slavery officially ended in the United States in 1865, its legacy continues to impact
African Americans today. The history of slavery has created deep-seated systemic inequalities
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that have persisted for generations. In this lecture, we will explore the continuing impact of
slavery on African Americans in the United States.
The Racial Wealth Gap
The racial wealth gap is one of the most visible and enduring legacies of slavery. African
Americans have historically been excluded from wealth-building opportunities, such as
homeownership and access to credit. As a result, African Americans have significantly less
wealth than their white counterparts. According to a study by the Institute for Policy Studies, the
median wealth of white households is 10 times greater than that of Black households.
Educational Disparities
African American students continue to experience significant educational disparities. These
disparities are the result of a number of factors, including poverty, underfunded schools, and
racial bias in the educational system. According to the National Center for Education Statistics,
African American students are more likely to attend underfunded schools with fewer resources
and less experienced teachers. African American students are also more likely to be suspended or
expelled from school, which can have a significant impact on their educational outcomes.
Housing Discrimination
Housing discrimination is another legacy of slavery that continues to impact African Americans
today. African Americans continue to face discrimination in housing, including redlining and
discriminatory lending practices. Redlining is the practice of denying loans or insurance to
certain neighborhoods based on their racial makeup. Discriminatory lending practices refer to the
practice of charging African Americans higher interest rates or denying them loans altogether
based on their race.
Health Disparities
African Americans also experience significant health disparities. African Americans are more
likely to suffer from a range of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and
hypertension. African Americans are also less likely to have access to healthcare and are more
likely to live in areas with poor air quality and limited access to healthy food. These disparities
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are the result of a range of factors, including poverty, lack of access to healthcare, and systemic
racism.
Overrepresentation in the Criminal Justice System
Finally, African Americans are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. African
Americans are more likely to be stopped, searched, and arrested by law enforcement than
their white counterparts. They are also more likely to be sentenced to longer prison terms
for the same offenses. This is the result of a range of factors, including racial bias in the
criminal justice system and over-policing of African American communities.
The legacy of slavery continues to impact African Americans in the United States today.
African Americans continue to face significant disparities in a number of areas, including
education, housing, health, and the criminal justice system. Addressing these disparities
requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of systemic racism and
inequality.
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References
Alexander, M. (2010). The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness. The
New Press.
American Public Health Association. "Racism and Health." https://www.apha.org/policies-and-
advocacy/public-health-policy-statements/policy-database/2021/01/22/racism-and-health
Davis, D. B. (1988). The problem of slavery in Western culture. Oxford University Press.
Davis, D. B. (1991). The problem of slavery in the age of revolution, 1770-1823. Oxford
University Press.
Du Bois, W. E. B. (1935). Black Reconstruction in America, 1860-1880. Harcourt Brace and
Company.
Institute for Policy Studies. "The Racial Wealth Gap: How African-Americans Have Been
Shortchanged out of the Materials to Build Wealth." https://ips-dc.org/wp-
content/uploads/2016/06/The-Racial-Wealth-Gap.pdf
Johnson, W. (2013). River of dark dreams: Slavery and empire in the cotton kingdom. Harvard
University Pres s.
National Center for Education Statistics. "Status and Trends in the Education of Racial and
Ethnic Groups 2018." https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2019/2019038.pdf
The Sentencing Project. "Race and Justice: Much More Than the Sentencing Project."
https://www.sentencingproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Race-and-Justice-Fact-
Sheet.pdf
Williams, E. (1944). Capitalism and slavery. University of North Carolina Press.
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