The objective of this thesis is to present the issue of slavery in the New York colony from the Dutch rule at the beginning of 17th century through English domination and American Revolutionary War. Its aim is also to present a struggle of progressive white New York citizens and black enslaved for full emancipation. For most of its history, New York has been the largest, most ethnically diverse, and most economically expansive city in the North American colonies. It was also the headquarter of American slavery for more than two hundred years. During the American Revolutionary War, the British army occupied New York City in 1776. The Crown promised freedom to slaves who left rebel masters . By 1780, 10,000 black slaves lived in New York. After the American Revolution, the New York Manumission Society was founded in 1785 to work for the abolition of slavery and for assistance to free blacks. The state passed a 1799 law for gradual abolition; after that date, children born to slave mothers were free but required to work an extended period as indentured servants into their twenties. Existing slaves kept their status. All remaining slaves were finally freed on July 4, 1827.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Slavery – definition and historical background.
1.1. Preliminary remarks
1.2. Slavery - attempt at definition.
1.3. The development of slavery.
1.3.1. The African slave trade
1.3.2. Unfree labor in the North American colonies
1.3.3. Slavery and capitalism
1.4. Slavery and human rights–the emancipation movement.
Chapter 2. The specific character of the New York state
2.1. Preliminary remarks.
2.2. Slavery in the New York state in the colonial times.
2.3 New York as the biggest slavery state in the North.
2.3. Prohibiting the sale of slaves and gradual emancipation.
Chapter 3. Abolition and emancipation movement
3.1. Preliminary remarks
3.2. The New York Manumission Society.
3.3. John Jay – a leader of antislavery movement.
3.4. The failure of gradual emancipation and its reasons
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This thesis examines the evolution of slavery in New York from the 17th-century Dutch colonial period through the American Revolutionary War, focusing on the efforts of progressive citizens and enslaved individuals toward full emancipation. It explores the interplay between colonial economic reliance on unfree labor, the rise of the New York Manumission Society, and the eventual implementation of gradual abolition laws.
- The historical definition and development of slavery within colonial North America.
- The unique socio-economic character of slavery in New York compared to other colonies.
- The impact of the American Revolution on emancipation discourse and legislative progress.
- The leadership role of figures like John Jay within the antislavery movement.
- The analysis of why gradual emancipation was adopted and the reasons for its inherent limitations.
Excerpt from the Book
1.2. Slavery - attempt at definition
Definition of slavery determines a relationship of at least two individuals. It may take diversified forms and achieve certain results. The outcomes of slavery are similar across times and cultures but their forms can be different. Nevertheless, they are exploitative in their character and refer to usage of labour for productive activities resulting in economic benefits, use of the enslaved individual as an item of consumption and sexual purposes as well as the savings received due to unpaid and enslaved labour. Any particular slave may bring one, several, or all of specified gains for his/her holder (Bales 2014 : 1).
The outcomes of enslavement are similar but its forms can be diversified. Relationship of slavery is determined by numerous traits that are embedded in a vast variety of cultural, religious, social, political, ethnic, commercial, as well as psychological forms. The combination of elements that define any slave-slave owner relationship may be very specific, but reflects general patterns characteristic for society in which slavery exists. The extremely variant forms of slavery across time and across different societies indicate that the traits signifying a certain relationship as slavery may seem to be unclear. Religious reasons, “willing” participation, token “payments”, the evident consent in a “contract”, and other meanings can be applied in the social discourse explaining the slave/slave owner relationship (Bales 2014: 1).
In the case of slavery the issue of possession is essential and allows to examine definitional assumptions which have marginalized the legal definition of slavery.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1. Slavery – definition and historical background.: This chapter provides an overview of the global history of slavery, establishing a theoretical definition and tracing its development in colonial North America, particularly in the context of the emerging capitalist economy.
Chapter 2. The specific character of the New York state: This section details the unique environment of New York, explaining how it became the most significant slave-holding northern colony due to Dutch and British reliance on enslaved labor.
Chapter 3. Abolition and emancipation movement: This final chapter analyzes the organized struggle against slavery in New York, highlighting the role of the New York Manumission Society, the political impact of John Jay, and the complex factors that led to the eventual, yet delayed, end of the institution.
Keywords
slavery, New York colony, African slave trade, manumission, gradual emancipation, American Revolution, abolitionist movement, John Jay, New York Manumission Society, unfree labor, racial ideology, capitalism, civil rights, racial discrimination, indentured servants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The work investigates the development, maintenance, and ultimate decline of the institution of slavery within the state of New York, spanning from the early 17th century to the mid-19th century.
What are the core thematic fields of the work?
The core themes include colonial economic history, the evolution of racial ideologies, the intersection of political revolution with civil rights, and the dynamics of organized abolitionist activity.
What is the primary research objective?
The goal is to analyze the phenomenon of slavery in New York, evaluate the plausibility of the introduction's assumptions, and document the struggle for emancipation led by white citizens and enslaved individuals.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The research employs a historical analysis methodology, synthesizing archival evidence, colonial records, and existing historical literature to trace socio-political changes regarding slavery in New York.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the global historical background of slavery, the specific socio-economic conditions of New York that favored slavery, the abolitionist efforts of the New York Manumission Society, and the limitations of gradual emancipation legislation.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include slavery, New York colony, manumission, gradual emancipation, American Revolution, abolitionist movement, and racial ideology.
Why was New York City considered the headquarters of American slavery in the North?
The city's rapid economic expansion and its strategic importance as a major seaport led colonial powers and merchants to rely heavily on enslaved labor for various sectors, including commerce, shipping, and domestic service.
What role did John Jay play in the abolitionist movement?
As the first president of the New York Manumission Society, John Jay provided political and moral leadership, advocating for gradual emancipation, education for black children, and providing legal aid to enslaved people.
Why was the "gradual emancipation" model ultimately successful but flawed?
While it provided a legislative pathway to end slavery without causing immediate economic collapse for the elite, it was flawed because it delayed freedom for current slaves and subjected their children to years of indentured servitude.
- Citation du texte
- MA Sylwia Mazur (Auteur), 2015, Slavery in New York at the beginning of the 17th century, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/368512
