How did slavery in America develop?

Slavery developed in America over time. As more colonies were created, especially in the South, the need for slaves grew. Some slaves came with the original settlers. Slaves were used in the Jamestown settlement to help with the growing of tobacco. As farming became more important, so did the need for the slaves.

The South was an excellent region for farming. The soil was very fertile, and the climate was warm and mild. Some southerners had very large farms. The farm owners wanted inexpensive labor to work on these farms, which were called plantations. Having slaves work on these farms could fill this need.

When Eli Whitney developed the cotton gin in 1793, the need for slaves also grew. The cotton gin made it easier to separate the seeds from short-staple cotton. Since short-staple cotton could be grown anywhere in the South, the whole South was now open for growing cotton, which was a very profitable crop to grow. The ability to grow more cotton increased the need for slaves. The cotton gin was a critical factor in increasing the number of slaves needed in the South.

To some degree, the continuation of slavery also resulted from a belief that the European race and ways of life were superior to the African race and ways of life. Eventually, slavery became so ingrained in the culture of the South, it was hard for southerners to see a life where there was no slavery.

Slavery was a part of our history from the time the earliest settlers came until the Civil War ended.