The land of the free, and home of the brave was forged through the eternal damnation of those who could never afford to seek such liberties. The cruelest form of currency was a defining factor of early American stature. A man's caliber among his peers was in direct correlation with the number and quality of his slaves. Any perceived slight against this self-endowed power by those he owned was met with the cracks of whips and snaps of necks (Fig. A). The cancerous shadow of the American Dream was actualizing just as fast as its infatuating counterpart enveloped the world. (See "American Dream")
Fig. A-
“For how imperiously, how coolly, in disregard of all one’s feelings, does the hard, cold, uninteresting course of daily realities move on! Still we must eat, and drink, and sleep, and wake again, - still bargain, buy, sell, ask and answer questions, - pursue, in short, a thousand shadows, though all interest in them be over; the cold, mechanical habit of living remaining, after all vital interest in it has fled.” ― Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852). The novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, was extremely powerful in awakening the North to the South's atrocities. Slavery appeared to be a far too lucrative solution to the massive crop yields that communal conscience didn't pay any mind.
Fig. B (above)-
An advertisement from Memphis Tennessee (History.com). Slaves were treated as appliances or cars are today, and advertisements like these were entirely common. As long as you paid the fair price, you could come to one of the auctions and buy multiple people. These injustices will develop societal fault lines for generations to come. (See "Civil Disobedience")
An advertisement from Memphis Tennessee (History.com). Slaves were treated as appliances or cars are today, and advertisements like these were entirely common. As long as you paid the fair price, you could come to one of the auctions and buy multiple people. These injustices will develop societal fault lines for generations to come. (See "Civil Disobedience")
![Picture](/uploads/9/3/2/0/93202712/slave-ship-interior-p_orig.jpeg)
Fig. C (above)-
1860's detailed drawing of slave ship's cargo hold (History.com). Slaves coming across the Atlantic would be packaged away in ships similar to this or worse. Many would be thrown overboard in rough weather. Disease ran rampant as there were no chances to get up or move during a journey which may take weeks. Sanitation was one of the biggest dangers to slaves aboard.
Fig. D-
“And, perhaps, among us may be found generous spirits, who do not estimate honour and justice by dollars and cents.”
― Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852). As the underground railroad began to fortify itself, more and more individuals realized how truly awful and astounding the lengths were that men would go to against other men for a few coins. (See "Consumerism")
![Picture](/uploads/9/3/2/0/93202712/3b36072r_orig.jpg)
Fig. E- Library of Congress (1830) A boatful of slaves arrives and is prepared for auction. Greed's appetite only grows further.
Wealth transcends time, whether it be intellectual, or real capital. America did climb out of this wretched time, but not before brother fought brother and the nation tore itself apart. Once the country was mended on the surface, it resumed the typical boom and bust patterns of any economy. Many of these cycles accompany wars, the most notable in U.S. history being WWI and WWII.