The practice of slavery was different between Africans and Europeans in various ways. Slavery in Africa was a type of human burden and servitude. Most of the Africans that ended up being slaves either feared stronger enemies or famine in Africa, causing them to be forced into some form of bondage. The Europeans and other Atlantic Countries subjugated Africans. Africans could easily be recognized because of their distinct black color at that time (Hardin, 2017). Children born from slave parents had a choice. They were not forced into slavery. On the other hand, slavery among the Europeans was different. Slavery was encouraged based on the race in which one was identified with. Again, the Europeans would recognize their slaves by their skin color (Tucker, 2018). The children were born into slave families inevitably prepared to be slaves right from their early age. This was a different scenario for the Europeans and other Atlantic nations.
The Change on the Length of Service of Slaves between 1642 and 1705
Women servants that sired children with their lords were punished by being expected to extend their service for two years with the churchwardens after their time with the master expires. In 1662, a white woman who could not pay fifteen pounds sterling as a fine within the first month was required to be an indentured servant for five years (Tucker, 2018). Servants without indentures and above sixteen years old were to serve for four years. Those that were under sixteen years were to serve until they attained twenty years of age.
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The Status of Children Born to Slaves by White Men
Children born to slaves by white men were considered bastards in most regions. They were to be held bond or free depending on the condition of the mother. However, Virginia passed a section of law in 1662 Birthright Law, where children that had been born of a free white father and Negro mother or vice versa were technically free (Hardin, 2017). However, the mother was obligated to pay fifteen pounds sterling within the first month after giving birth. The child born was to be bound in service for three decades.
Ways in which Slaves were Treated Similar to Property
In the new world, the slaves were regarded as the only form of Chattel Slavery. Chattel slavery was the aspect that the slaves were deemed actual properties so that they could be purchased, sold merchandized or inherited (Hardin, 2017). After the decline of the Roman Empire, Western Europe affluent society started to concentrate on procuring and domineering land and controlling the products from their land rather than controlling laborers through servitude to gather more produce (Abraham, 2016). The European slaves were expected to work for the elites but in exchange, the elites would offer them protection. The chattel slaves could be sold away because it was profiting to the lords of a manor.
Analysis of the Viewpoint of Jefferson on Slavery and Abolition of Slavery
Jefferson encouraged abolition of slavery and denied emancipation of the African Americans at some point. He both supported and opposed the issue of slavery. Jefferson termed the institution of slavery as a horrible crime. He was himself a slaveholder until his adult life when he began fighting for the rights of the slaves. His efforts to end or bar slavery did not prevail as he did not receive much support, which caused him to conclude that it was not practical to solve the problem of putting people in bondage during his time. However, Jefferson did not relent his efforts as he continued the program or process of resettling slaves outside the United States. Unfortunately, Jefferson and many of his contemporaries contradicted themselves, as they feared that aborting slavery would spark up violence in the entire South and cause or racial segregation in the North (Abraham, 2016). Thus, whereas Jefferson supported the abolition of slavery in the Northwest Territories, he permitted it to extend in the Louisiana Territory. As a revolutionary, Jefferson did not agree with slavery, as a politician of a split nation, he endorsed it.
References
Abraham, K. (2016). Jefferson's Fire Insurance Policy and Monticello's Reconstruction of Slavery.
Hardin, W. F. (2017). " This Unpleasant Business": Slavery, Law, and the Pleasants Family in PostRevolutionary Virginia. The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography , 125 (3).
Tucker, G. (2018). A Dissertation on Slavery: With a Proposal for the Gradual Abolition of it, in the State of Virginia . BoD–Books on Demand.
