US History Case Study: Slavery and the Declaration of Independence

This case study examines the practice of slavery in colonial America, comparing and contrasting the treatment of slaves in Africa and Europe. It explores the evolution of servitude between 1642 and 1705, including changes in the length of service and the legal status of servants. The study also analyzes how the status of children born to enslaved women was determined, highlighting the impact of laws like the Acts of Virginia Commonwealth. Furthermore, it details the ways in which slaves were treated as property, subject to their masters' control and exploitation. Finally, the case study analyzes Thomas Jefferson's views on slavery as reflected in the Declaration of Independence, exploring his vision of equality and liberty in the context of the institution of slavery, and his efforts to limit and abolish slavery.

Running head: US HISTORY CASE STUDY 1
US History Case Study
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Slavery in African and European Colonies
Before slavery started in Europe, it already existed in Africa. Slavery in Africa was
basically a mode of punishment, payment of a debt, and other legal reasons. One could be
enslaved to as a method of the debt payment. The treatment varied in different parts of the
continent. African slaves were fed and generally treated like a human being with their rights
reserved (PortCities Bristol). In large states, intelligent slaves worked in government
administrations. Some slaves were sent to do manual work such as mining gold which was
dangerous.
European Slavery, on the other hand, was inhumane and harsh to the slaves.
Europeans’ used slavery as a trade market. After European nations gained colonies in the
New World they invested in large plantations that increased the demand for labor. Slavery
was the only source of cheap labor. The slaves were forced to work without rest and with
limited meals. The slaves were treated as property. As a result, they suffered any form of
abuse based on their master’s wish.
Changes in Services of Servants and Slaves between 1642 and 1705
The life of servants changed dramatically between 1642 and 1705. The servants were
expected to serve the colonies for 4 to 7 years before gaining their freedom. The servants
ratio of men to women reduced to 4 to 1 between 1640 and 1680. In 1642-43 all servants
were expected to register with the Secretary of states. The servant benefited in that legislation
was passed, by the General Assembly of Virginia, protecting them from mistreatment. In fact,
by 1657 servant had the right to take court any form of harsh as well as bad treatment by the
colonies. Nonetheless, from 1658 anyone from the age of 15 was to be a servant until he or
she turns 21. In the 1670s, the slaves had gradually replaced indentured servants. The
Assembly also determined that a child born by a woman in slavery or servitude will also be a

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slave. According to Wolfe, & McCartney (2015) slavery was the main form of bound labor in
the colony by 1705.
Status of a Whiteman’s Child born by a Slave
Enslaved women worked as housekeeping in the houses of their masters. The women
endured different forms of abuse including physical and sexual abuse from their masters. As
a result, racially mixed children were born. According to, Acts of Virginia Commonwealth,
the status of any child born by a Negro woman was to be determined the mother’s living
status. In case the mother was an enslaved at the time of the child’s birth, then the newborn
assumed this status. Therefore, all children, regardless of the father, would be a slave or free
based on the status of the mother (Acts of Virginia Commonwealth). Furthermore, double
fines were imposed to all whites who fornicated with ‘Negros.’
Slaves treated as property
Slavery was considered the property of their masters. They were expected to do hard
manual labor in the plantations, dig ditches, repair buildings, and cut wood. Besides, slaves
lived in crude cabins with little to no beddings and clotting which exposed them to bad
weather as well as diseases. The colony could punish the slaves at will and left them to
starve and suffer from sickness without medical treatment. However, their status as property
was enhanced with the ability to be sold from one master to the other. This was done in a
similar way goods are sold at the market.
Declaration of Independence
While writing the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Thomas Jefferson envisioned
a new and free world (Savage, 2016). He believed that equality and liberty were natural
rights to human beings. Therefore, Jefferson gradually worked to end slavery since he saw it
as an abomination and a crime. Before proposing a prohibition on slavery activities in

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Northwest Territory in 1784, Jefferson introduced a law in Virginia banning African slaves’
importation in 1778. These were some of his antics used to fight slavery (Savage, 2016).

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References
Acts of Virginia Commonwealth. (n.d.). Slavery and the Making of America. The Slave
Experience: Legal Rights & Gov't | PBS. Retrieved May 12, 2019, from
https://www.thirteen.org/wnet/slavery/experience/legal/docs1.html
PortCities Bristol. (n.d.). Slavery in Africa. Retrieved May 12, 2019, from
http://www.discoveringbristol.org.uk/slavery/people-involved/enslaved-
people/enslaved-africans/africa-slavery/
Savage, E., (2016). Jefferson and the Enlightenment. National Museum of African
American History and Culture. Retrieved May 12, 2019, from
https://www.monticello.org/slavery-at-monticello/liberty-slavery
Wolfe, B., & McCartney, M. (2015, October 28). Indentured Servants in Colonial
Virginia. In Encyclopedia Virginia. Retrieved from
http://www.EncyclopediaVirginia.org/Indentured_Servants_in_Colonial_Virgi
nia