CONTENT STATEMENT
- The practice of race-based slavery led to the forced migration of Africans to the American colonies and contributed to colonial economic development. Their knowledge, skills and traditions were essential to the development of the colonies.
CONTENT ELABORATION
The general perspective of Europeans was that black Africans were inferior and uncivilized. This belief led to the forced relocation of many Africans to the American colonies. Although Africans aided Europeans in enslaving and in trading slaves, the practice was race-based and economically motivated. Europeans and many of American colonists enslaved Africans to provide a source of cheap labor.
Africans, enslaved and free, were significant contributors to the economic development of the colonies. Slavery was legal in all the American colonies. Slaves were used in maritime trade, manufacturing, agriculture, artisans and as domestics.
Slavery was also the foundation of the agricultural system in most of the Southern colonies and was critical in sustaining the cultivation of cash crops.
Slaves from Africa contributed their knowledge of planting crops to the colonies. Other cultural contributions of enslaved Americans include folklore, dance, craftsmanship, and music.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Explain how the practice of race-based slavery led to the forced migration of Africans to the American colonies.
Describe the contributions of enslaved and free Africans to cultural and economic development in different regions of the American colonies.