The Consequences Of Cotton

Slavery has existed ever since the foundation of society, it has been by mankind throughout its existence. From the founding of first settling of North America until the civil war, slavery has been protrusive in the history of the United States. Gradually over time, slavery had become entrenched into American society.

The seed of slavery had been long planted in the foundation of the United States. However, during the early 18th century slavery seemed to be on the decline. Abolitionist ideas had been slowly seeping into the South, and more and more plantation owners started to free their slaves. All of this changed with the coming of the Industrial revolution, and Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin. The cotton gin revolutionized the process of cotton harvesting, making cotton much more easier to refine. With the increase in demand for cotton, Southern plantation owners rushed to find labor to harvest the cotton, increasing the slave population by 33%. The cotton rush not only increase the amount of slaves needed, it eventually cemented cotton trade into the national economy. By the eve of the civil war, 57% of all the exports made by the United states was cotton.

Slavery was bad in general, but what made slavery in America much more brutal that the worlds standards? The answer would be, that the American system of slavery tended disregard many of the most basic human needs. For an example, the chronicle of Abdul Rahman easily describes the horrid treatment. Before Abdul became a slave, he was a prince of a region in african called Futa Jallon. Unfortunately, Abdul was captured,

Picture showing that increase of slavery along with the increase of cotton productions.

transported along the atlantic and sold into slavery in Mississippi to Thomas Foster. Throughput this whole ordeal, Abdul was treated like merchandise. When Foster learned that Abdul was former prince, instead of treating him as a equal, he mockingly gave the nickname, "Prince", to Abdul. Foster's treatment of Abdul showed that the Fosters disregarded the fact that Abdul was also a human being, and treated him like a object instead of  human.

The one of the worst aspect of slavery was the suffering of the slave dignity. Throughout Abduls excruciating terk, he was treated like he was less that a human being. Abdul's atlantic journey had him crowded below the decks with

Portrait Of Abdul Rahman

other slaves; they were given little water and food, and their most basic human needs were ignored. The sailors treated abdul and his fellow comrades like they were some kind of cargo, not human beings, and that such treatment squashed Abduls and many other's dignity, making them feel like less that humans.

Animals over Women?

The 18th century, was a golden era for societal reforms. There were major reforms movements everywhere throughout the nation to change societal norms; but one of the most notable, was the woman's reform movement. Until the 18th century, women in american society had little to no rights regarding legal issues. They could not vote, get a divorce, own property, and they couldn't take custody over their own children. In some states, it was legal for the husband to beat his wife to prevent "nagging". Though these problems were present during the majority of American history, the 18th century was when the issue was really examined by society.

A passage from "Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions"

During the summer of 1848, the first true progression of the women's reform started. In the small city of Seneca Falls, New York, many notable womens rights reformers gathered together and created the "Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions". This document established all of the woman's reform's goals and reforms. Due to the time period, the declaration was met with varying reaction throughout the country. Many officials denounced the declaration as a joke, as many of them thought the treatment of animals was a greater importance than the treatment of women; In the newspaper, The North Star, writes, "A discussion about animals would be regarded with far more complacency by many of what are called the good, and the wise of this land, than it would be regarding the rights of women."  Though shunned by the majority of the population, some of the population supported the Reform. In the newspaper, The National Reformer, it exclaims, "We think it the duty of every candid person to hear every proposal for the elevation of our race, and if they fall let it be for want of argument..." Though many reformers were not taken seriously, eventually during the early 19th century, the women's reform movement began to build momentum; by the end of the the century, women's rights had improved substantially. Though not really remembered today the public, the Seneca Falls Declaration, was an important stepping stone in the women's rights reform.

This video shows how women and men in society are judged differently in society.

Currently in the 20th century, society still has many issues in regard to women's rights. Though these issues aren't as severe as the 18th century, their existence shows that society still has a long way for gender equality.