"The terrible Transformation" - Essay Example

Number] The Terrible Transformation Q1. The main conflict in The Terrible Transformation is between the European invaders and the African Americans. The documentary is the first part of the four-part television documentary called Africans in America: America’s Journey through Slavery aired in 1998 and it traces the history of slavery which goes back to the European invaders initiating slave trade in Africa. The documentary goes back to the 15th century when the terrible transformation took place.

It was the transformation when the Africans had finally realised that slavery wasn’t something that they are suffering, but it will be something that their upcoming generations will inherit (Bellows, 1998). The main contestants were the African Americans and the Europeans who had travelled to Africa in search for gold but initiated slave trade. The Terrible Transformation covers the earliest transformation of Free states into slave states including the process which initiated when servants became slaves for being black.

The years presented in this documentary were 1450-1750; the years which brought the terrible transformation in the North American continent due to the European settlers (Bellows, 1998). Their world was largely destroyed and transformed by the European explorers who took over their land and wealth as well as began the slave trade by brining several Africans into America. This was the beginning of the slave trade which entered America and changed the whole social and economic system. It transformed the system from a free colony to a state where the colour of skin decided whether a person would be a free citizen or would be enslaved for life.Q2.Europeans took their position in the conflict as they entered Africa seeking gold.

The trade was first focused on gold but ended up on humans. European settlers were travelling and colonizing the world, and as they entered Africa their focus shifted on human trade instead of gold. These Africans were basically needed for the plantations in America. They were held captives by the Europeans and when they reached America, they were given no respect or rights and the torture continued. The shift of the Europeans had eventually changed from having non-Christian labourers to non-white labourers (Bellows, 1998).

The Europeans took this position in the conflict in order to expand their colonies and rule throughout. Africans took the position in the conflict because they were brought for gold and eventually ended up being tortured and forced into slavery. The effect of this practice of slave trade changed the history forever. It initiated what is known as the cruellest and toughest era for the African Americans. European settlers went but they left behind the practice of slavery which existed till the civil war.

They faced physical and mental torture throughout the years until prominent leaders such as Martin Luther King came and the Civil Rights Movement was carried out. It began because the African Americans were forced and brutally tortured for their labour (Bellows, 1998). This conflict in history is still remembered as the worst form of discrimination ever practiced in the history of mankind and its affects are still seen in some parts of America. Work CitedBellows Susan. The Terrible Transformation.

Boston: PBS, 1998