Slavery made an impact in the political economic and social lives of people in the United States during the nineteenth century. The greatest impact was on the political culture where there arose two irreconcilable factions thus leading to differences that brought about civil wars. The United States and remained agrarian during this periodical time, while the rate of industrial development improved as factories turned raw materials to usable complete products.
Economically, America transitioned on the eve of civil war. What was initially an economy based on agriculture alone in 1800, revolutionized greatly which was likely to make the United States a leading industrial power by 1865. In 1860, there was the increase in cotton production with so many firearms in the south. The north centrally was fairly manufacturing cotton which was the leading export of the United States by then. The agricultural sector was also not left behind and remained intense although this period by increasing productivity. Industrialization on the northern states rose and most people migrated to the urban areas which led to a growth of cities remarkably.
In both the north and southern parts of the country endured strengths and weaknesses, economic systems became a clear increase in their ability to sustain and support the country’s economy. There were however various challenges including war which threatened the growth but the continued industrialization suppressed any kind of rebellion. Other companies manufactured weapons which improved as the war progressed. All sectors of the unions’ economy witnessed an increase in production.
Politically, North America was initially vast and working conditions were harsh before colonization by Europeans. In the early seventeenth century, a ship loaded slaves from Africa. As the American Revolution came to an end, slavery had not caused any profitable income which was a problem. Slaves were treated so cruelly and members of the black families were sold away in different places. They, however, had no means to protest in any kind of way. Slaves would fake illnesses or sometimes murder with an aim of running away from the conditions they were subjected to.
Since the civil war outbreak, the nation struggled to be able to preserve the nation where many slaves escaped as the war was beginning. In the year 1862, during the dramatic union, President Abraham Lincoln presented emancipation and proclamation which declared that all slaves who were still rebelling would be freed. Abraham also established an institution where blacks were allowed to the United States Army. In the year 1865, an amendment had already been made to outlaw any form of slavery practice.
Socially, slavery affected the social lives of people in the United States in terms of how people interrelated and lived together. Enslaved people were restricted to some social norms and the fact that they belonged to different races brought strict and unique frustrations as well as pain. Africans lived together in nuclear families. Enslaved people were also not allowed to marry in any state situated in America. Family separation was common as family members were sold out to go work for wealthy Europeans families. They were considered properties or commodities and not normal persons. On various large plantations, slave cabins had been built this is where enslaved family members would meet to interact. Mothers would cook at the fireplace as they sewed while fathers would hunt with their sons so as to provide food. It is in these same quarters that children learned skills such as creating portions to use as medicine and select dye for clothing by using plants. It was until 1865 when slavery came to a stop most Africans could not marry legally.
In conclusion, slavery affected the normal way of life in the United States and this impacted both the lives of the American people as well as that of the slaved Africans. The rate of mistreatment that Africans had to undergo was basically unfair though with time it came to an end. There was an advantage in terms of how the nation’s economy improving during this period Considering the fact that Africans lived in this country later on as any other citizen may be positive in the sense that they also enjoyed the fruits of their labor.
