Social Theory and Cultural Analysis - Essay Example

Social Theory and Cultural Analysis During the colonial era, slavery was practiced in most continents including Asia,Europe and Africa. Research asserts that the Trans-Atlantic slave trade occurred across the Atlantic Ocean between the 16th and 19th century (Curtin 1969: 35). However, this was not the only slave trade that was taking place in Africa but, it was considered as the largest and most intense slave trade business. Most of the slave traders comprised of the British, Spanish, French, Dutch, Portuguese and American citizens. The Portuguese constitutes the first individuals to get acquainted with the slave trade business. It is estimated that approximately 10 million individuals were shipped to other countries as slaves through the Atlantic Ocean. This paper will substantially discuss the concept of liberty under the conditions of transatlantic capitalism. In the modern history, the transatlantic trade is known as one of the greatest crimes against humanity. According to various studies, slave trade has existed in the historical timeline. In fact, the expansion of this form of trade was considered as a prominent power to the corresponding territory. This transatlantic capitalism generated new legal customs and statutes. This affirms that the Atlantic slave trade had several impacts in Europe. For example, the transatlantic slave trade business had an effect on the economy of Europe, which triggered a debate after an editorial on Capitalism and slavery was published by Eric Williams (Williams 1944: 29). In this publication, Williams concluded that the system employed in the transatlantic slave trade created a demand on the export side. This trade also created a trading network that triggered the industrial revolution. However, there are several historians who have conflicting ideas with the claims made by Williams (Williams 1944: 12). According to these historians, the profits that were generated from the slave trade were not adequate as a source of capital for an industrial revolution. This is because the slave colonies had access to most profits that were generated from the trade. The African slaves were liable for the production of most of the American products which contributed to the urbanization in Britain, among other developments in the country. The slave trade was a result of labor shortage. Researchers claim that most of the slave trade business occurred within the 18th century, but, there was a considerable reduction of the trade in the 19th century. The concept of liberty under the transatlantic capitalism is described under slave law and abolition. The transatlantic trade is divided into two main periods which are the First and Second Atlantic Systems (Curtin 1969: 29). Freedom can be defined as the exemption from control by another party (Blackburn 2011: 18). The aspect of freedom can also be identified as an arbitrary constraint of a defined right. On the other hand, the slave law portrays a clear understanding about the legal philosophy, positive law and case law. There was a remarkably powerful movement that arose in this era in, order to abolish slavery, which was rooted in Europe (Anstey 1975: 23). These forces were established, in the 18th century, to fight the slavery institution and in particular the Atlantic slave trade. Most countries adopted the slave law to abolish the roots of slavery which was well established in the European continent. This movement received substantial support from the African-American slave resistance movement, the European religious movement among other rational movements. The abolition of trade was led by the Quakers and an establishment of evangelicals. In 1772, most of the slaves who were located in the British Isles were freed. This was attributed by Thomas Jefferson who led a movement which stopped the importation of slaves from various states. Individuals, who did not adhere to the regulations that were set, received a severe punishment through imposing an unusually heavy fee. This forced various countries to ban the slave trade (Ralph 1987: 48). Some of the first countries to abolish the trade include Denmark, Britain and the United States. This took place through proper legislation procedures. The United States provided a clear illustration of the legislative procedure through the Slave Trade Act in 1807. This act proved that the slave trade business was a crime equal to piracy, therefore; it was punishable by death. After several years, the leaders who were campaigning against the slave trade got a reward after the House of Commons proceeded with a motion regarding the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. Afterwards, Britain also enabled other countries to abolish this trade. This was facilitated through the signing of treaties such as the Treaty of Paris, the Anglo-Portuguese treaty and the Anglo-Netherlands treaty among others (Curtin 1969: 19). The Royal Navy Squadron seized approximately 1,500 ships that were used in the slave trade between 1800 and 1860. Most of the slaves who were located in other countries were shipped to Sierra Leone to serve as apprentices until the Slavery Abolition Act was endorsed in 1833. Various scholars point out that there are over 30 treaties, which were signed by various African leaders in order to stop the slave trade (Blackburn 2011: 23). The abolitionists were also successful after they staged a rally to stop the harsh treatment of the slaves (Hellie 1982: 28). There are several actions that were also undertaken, by the slaves to abolish their trade. The slaves who had run away in America established an independent community which was far beyond the colonial power. These slaves were known as the maroons. The maroon society was extremely powerful, and they were also able to establish several treaties with the colonial powers in Europe. In this era, the slaves plotted a rebel against their masters to seek local justice. The maroons were always successful in seeking autonomy (Anstey 1975: 12). The American Revolution movement also equated the slave trade business to political autocracy hence, offering proposals for banning the trade. The growth of capitalism has significantly enabled the sociologists to examine how religious movements are evolving slowly and how these religious movements affect the economic systems. Brazil was the last country to ban slave trade. Several studies imply that the abolitionists mobilized the humanitarian feelings to successfully triumph over the mundane slave trade business. The abolitionists squabbled over the transatlantic slave trade which had changed the whole of Africa. Therefore, the abolitionists were occasionally forced into continuous wars due to the high demand for slaves. They also argued that the Africans were also relying on the slave trade business (Eltis 2000: 29). Their main role was to capture enough slaves for the European countries. On the contrary, most individuals refrained from talking about capitalism because of the horrible conditions faced by the slaves. This practice also increased the mortality rate thus hindering progress among the African community. The slavery debate went on for several decades before full abolition was fully finalized (Anstey 1975: 18). After the slave trade was totally abolished in the 19th century, there are several countries in Africa which still continued to support the trade. It is also evident that slavery among other forms of forced labor is still existent in most countries world widely. In conclusion, there was a recent conference that was held by the members of the Atlantic Capitalism project. In this conference, there was a recommendation that was made to include eight different sections which are aimed at maintaining an effective economy in the area. According to this panel, there are several values of transatlantic capitalism, which are supposed to be promoted and highly valued. Their most recent objective is to solve the euro zone crisis which is one of the most crucial predicaments in the present condition. This panel asserts that the transatlantic market is vital to the European economy. The panel is also working on an alliance between Europe and the United States (Blackburn 2011:56). Works Cited Anstey, Roger: The Atlantic Slave Trade and British Abolition, 1760–1810. London: Macmillan Publishers, 1975. Print. Blackburn, Robin. The American Crucible: Slavery, Emancipation and Human Rights. New York: Verso Press, 2011. Print. Curtin, Philip. Atlantic Slave Trade. New York; University of Wisconsin Press, 1969. Print. Eltis, David. The Rise of African Slavery in the Americas. United Kingdom: Cambridge Press, 2000. Print. Hellie, Richard. Slavery in Russia, 1450–1725. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1982. Print. Ralph, Austen. African Economic History: Internal Development and External Dependency. London: James Currey Publishers, 1987. Print. Williams, Eric. Capitalism and Slavery. Chapel Hill: Sue Peabody Press, 1944. Print. Read More