Slavery in New York City: Impact and Significance

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Changes That Slavery Brought
Crucial Role of Slavery
Positive Effects
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Slavery had a profound effect on people living in various parts of the USA, but some of the most important events and movements associated with it occurred in New York City. The essence of the slavery system was grounded in African American’s deficiency in comparison to white people. However, the analysis of slavery in New York allows doubting such an opinion. Blacks’ significance in the development of the city’s most critical systems, such as labor, race, and class divisions, makes it possible to conclude that the influence of slavery in New York was substantial. What is more, the effect was felt not only in white communities of New Yorkers but also in those of blacks.

Changes That Slavery Brought

The most important change that slavery brought about in New York was the establishment of the new economic system. The role of black labor in the city in 1626-1827 was considerable (Harris, 2003). The point was that slave labor played a pivotal role in the survival of the city. Manhattan relied on such labor more than any other part of the colonial North (Harris, 2003). The dependence became most prominent in the 18^th century, with the intention of the British to turn Manhattan into the main North American “slave port and economic center” (Harris, 2003, p. 11). As a result of such attempts, slave labor allowed increasing the city’s economy, as well as that of its suburbs. In rural regions adjacent to New York, slaves performed important agricultural duties, hence developing this dimension of economy. At the end of the 17^th century, the number of black inhabitants in New York was much larger than that in any other city of North America (Harris, 2003). In the 18^th century, as little as two cities – New Orleans and Charleston – outnumbered New York in the slave quantity.

Crucial Role of Slavery

Therefore, it is evident that the growing number of blacks in New York City played a crucial role in the development of industry and trade. However, there was another crucial aspect of slavery in New York, which fund its reflection in the evolution of such terms as ‘class’ and ‘race.’ The system of slavery in New York was the basis of these definitions. The notion of race as thIf people by categories established on physical differences appeared in the slavery period. Europeans, who attempted to classify various groups of people they colonized in different parts of the world, were the initiators of racial division (SenGupta, 2009). The primary purpose of slavery as such was to “secure” a labor force by making classes (Harris, 2003, p. 12). Thus, New Yorkers founded their working class on African slaves. The Dutch and the British, who brought African Americans to New York, inspired the citizens to consider that blacks were the only community fit to be slaves out of a variety of social groups inhabiting New York at the time.

The application of racial ideologies that designated African Americans as secondary in importance compared to other groups led to the establishment of inequality among social groups of people in New York. Such an ideology has had a profound effect in the city both at the time of slavery and several centuries after it (Harris, 2003). Since Europeans spread the idea that blacks were the only ones deserving to be slaves, these people were doomed to worse treatment. Due to such opinions, even upon gaining freedom in 1827, New York African Americans did not gain equality.

Positive Effects

Still, there was also a positive effect of slavery on blacks living in New York. Due to constant pressure, unfair treatment, and bias, these individuals developed community institutions and initiated the emergence of indigenous leaders (Singer, 2008). Through their relentless hard work, resistance to subjugation, and establishment of communities and families, African Americans of New York City showed that Europeans’ claims of blacks’ racial inferiority had no ground (Harris, 2003). The institution that played a major role in the anti-slavery struggle was the black church. Attending black churches made African American slaves closer as a community and promoted literacy among people (Singer, 2008). Enslavement affected every sphere of blacks’ lives, but, as it appeared, it did not undermine African Americans’ opinion of themselves as a worthy race (Harris, 2003). Therefore, one can say that slavery in New York City served as a motive not only for racial division but also for people’s realization of their significance as a social group.

Conclusion

The effect of slavery in New York was multidimensional. First of all, slave labor allowed developing the economy of the city as well as areas surrounding it. Secondly, it became possible for New York to establish enhanced trade relations with various parts of the world. Thirdly, the institution of slavery gave a start to the definition of such essential notions as race and class. Although Europeans aimed at suppressing African Americans’ worthiness, they gained the opposite result. Under the circumstances of continuous pressure, black people united and formed as a spiritually and ethnically close group.

References

Harris, L. M. (2003). In the shadow of slavery: African Americans in New York City, 1626-1863. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press.

SenGupta, G. (2009). From slavery to poverty: The racial origins of welfare in New York, 1840-1918. New York, NY: New York University Press.

Singer, A. J. (2008). New York and slavery: Time to teach the truth. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.

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Slavery in New York City: Impact and Significance

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