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Historians estimate 6 to 7 million slaves were bought to the New World during the 18th century alone. The invention of the cotton gin solidified the central importance of slavery to the South's economy. The legacy of slavery continued to influence American history, from the civil war to the civil rights movement.
Historians estimate 6 to 7 million slaves were bought to the New World during the 18th century alone. The invention of the cotton gin solidified the central importance of slavery to the South's economy. The legacy of slavery continued to influence American history, from the civil war to the civil rights movement.
Historians estimate 6 to 7 million slaves were bought to the New World during the 18th century alone. The invention of the cotton gin solidified the central importance of slavery to the South's economy. The legacy of slavery continued to influence American history, from the civil war to the civil rights movement.
John Simpson Professor Deanna Lindsey Introduction to Sociology November 12th, 2011
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1. Discuss the historical events that provided the foundation of slavery within the U.S. In the early 17th century, European settlers in North America turned to African slaves as a cheaper, more plentiful labor source than indentured servants (who were mostly poorer Europeans). When a Dutch ship brought 20 Africans ashore at the British colony of Jamestown, Virginia in 1619, slavery spread throughout the American colonies. It is impossible to give accurate figures, so some historians have estimated that 6 to 7 million slaves were bought to the New World during the 18th century alone. In the 17th and 18th centuries, black slaves worked mainly on the tobacco, rice and indigo plantations of the southern coast. After the American Revolution (1775-83), many colonists particularly in the North, began to link the oppression of black slaves to their own oppression by the British, and they called for the abolishment of slavery. After the war's end, however, the new U.S. Constitution acknowledged the institution, counting each slave as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of taxation and representation in Congress and guaranteeing the right to repossess any "person held to service or labor" (an obvious euphemism for slavery). (History.com, 2011) The invention of the cotton gin in 1793 solidified the central importance of slavery to the South's economy. By the mid-19th century, America's westward expansion, along with a growing abolition movement in the North, would provoke a great debate over slavery that would tear the nation apart in the American Civil War (1861-65). Though the Union victory freed the nation's 4 million slaves, the legacy of slavery continued to influence American history, from the tumultuous years of Reconstruction (1865-77) to the civil rights movement that emerged in the 1960s, a century after emancipation.
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2. Explain how tradition plays a part in keeping people in slavery. I believe that tradition plays a part in keeping people in slavery because that is all that they know. Many people who are slaves are kept in the dark and do not know what freedom is whether it be because they are not educated on it or they just have not been offered the opportunity. In todays society slavery is still alive even though the United States banned slavery in 1865. In some countries they still sell and buy slaves. 3. Explain the major factors that contribute to racial prejudice and discrimination against African-Americans. Some factors that contribute to racial prejudice and discrimination are socialization which is many prejudices seem to be passed along from parents to children. The media perpetuates demeaning images and stereotypes about assorted groups, such as ethnic minorities, women, gays and lesbians, the disabled, and the elderly. Conforming behaviors bring support from significant others, so rejecting prejudices may lead to losing social support. The pressures to conform to the views of families, friends, and associates can be formidable. Economic benefits have confirmed that prejudice especially rises when groups are in direct competition for jobs. This can help explain why prejudice increases dramatically during times of economic and social stress. Ethnocentrism is the tendency to evaluate others' cultures by one's own cultural norms and values. It also includes a suspicion of outsiders. Most cultures have their ethnocentric tendencies, which usually involve stereotypical thinking. 4. Describe how prejudice and discrimination form a vicious cycle. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS REST4
Based on the Thomas theorem, stereotypes become real to people who believe them and sometimes even to those who are victimized by them. The prejudice that white people have against African-Americans does not produce innate inferiority but it can produce social inferiority which could push minorities into lower paying jobs, lower schools and segregated housing. When white people interpret the social disadvantage that minorities do not measure up, a new round of prejudice and discrimination are unleashed which continues the vicious cycle. (Macionis, 2010) 5. Describe several effective ways to improve contemporary African-American relations in the U.S. For decades, sociologists have looked to ways of reducing and eliminating conflicts and prejudices between groups. One theory is the self-esteem hypothesis, which is when people have an appropriate education and higher self-esteem, their prejudices will go away. Another way to improve is to bring together members of different groups so they can learn to appreciate their common experiences and backgrounds. Another one that could help improve is for groups to lay aside their individual interests and learning to work together for shared goals. Another one that can help eliminate prejudice is by enforcing laws against discriminative behavior. Solutions to prejudice that emphasize change at the individual level have not been successful. Changes in the law have helped to alter some prejudiced attitudes. Without changes in the law, racial integration of public facilities in America might never have occurred. Still, laws do not necessarily change people's attitudes. In some cases, new laws can increase antagonism toward minority groups. (CliffsNotes.com, 2011) THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS REST5
References CliffsNotes.com. (2011, November 12). Retrieved from Prejudice and Discrimination: www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/topicArticleId-26957,articleId-26886.html History.com. (2011). Retrieved from History website: www.history.com/topics/slavery Macionis, J. J. (2010). Sociology . Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall.