Morgan: American Slavery, American Freedom
In American Slavery, American Freedom Edmund S. Morgan presents the history of early Virginia, intending to also present the paradoxical relationship of slavery and freedom, and the role of each for support of the other. He contends American independence was purchased with slave labor. Slavery was not the original plan for the American colonies. Expectations were for the natives to welcome the new arrivals and adapt to the colonists proposed way of life. Much to their dismay, settlers underestimated both the climate and conditions of their new habitat, as well as the native reception.
Morgan begins with Roanoke and descriptions of grandeur for future colonial settlements in America. The described reality is not so grand. Differing agendas, natives unwilling to assimilate to the satisfaction of colonists, and little initial capital led to the story of the “Lost Colony” and what Morgan calls, “The Jamestown Fiasco.” Slavery is not part of either story in the beginning. In fact, Morgan maintains the colonists did not wish to enslave, or even force, natives to work. Even through difficult times they continued to desire a Utopian society of interracial cooperation. However, as times grew tougher, and tension higher, there was less cooperation among all participants in the colonial experience.
Although not forcing servitude upon the Indians, settlers did beg, trade, steal, and demand Indian cooperation for settlement survival. Without the native population early settlements would have been considered a dismal failure in the grand scheme of history. Some would find it an arguable point despite the passage of time and successful establishment of an independent nation. Regardless, some form of servitude is characteristic of colonial settlements, despite the early absence of slavery. Morgan describes three types of servitude: tenure, bond, and apprenticeships. To be a tenant was considered most advantageous as they were allowed to receive a portion of profit earned. Bond servants received nothing but their personal maintenance with a master receiving all profits. Lowest on the early servitude scale was the apprenticeship. Apprentices served a term of seven years to the planter paying for them and then another seven years as a tenant. Most servants were tenants. However, as tobacco became more and more profitable the nature of servitude began to shift more to bond labor. Laws were expanded to guarantee extended terms of service eventually leading to the acceptance of slave labor.
No longer wishing for the Utopian interracial society, some natives were enslaved. Later, the profitable nature of African slave labor was discovered by colonists. At first, not wishing to enslave the Africans, colonists bought them from island settlements. Over the passage of time, and increasing profit, the moral dilemma of enslaving another did not seem such a dilemma for colonists. After all, slaves were considered mere pagans and property to be utilized in the most profitable manner.
Upon this argument, Morgan successfully presents the paradox of freedom and slavery, the irony of one society’s freedom built upon the enslavement of another. However, without the benefits of slave labor it is likely that the colonists would not prevail in their struggle to break from English dependency. For such adaptation and acceptance to take place, Morgan describes the shifting prejudice that must occur to morally justify the cultural adaptation. His presentation seems at times to be judgmental of the colonists. By modern standards they do seem morally bankrupt regarding the treatment of fellow man, however their moral outlook is not the same as those of modern society, and modern society is not without its own moral bankruptcy. Morgan’s work is an interesting presentation of the history of Virginia, provoking examination of what he describes as the American paradox. He is rather slow in this provocation, not detailing servitude and slavery until well into the work.
August 26 2005 10:42 pm | History and Ramblings
