7 Questions
According to the text, what were the two primary drivers of where slaves ended up going in the Americas?
The marginal value product of labor and the allocation of resources
What percentage of the slaves did the United States receive?
7%
What does the marble represent in the context of the text?
African slaves
Which factor primarily drove the movement of slaves in America?
Economic factors
Why were slaves expensive to buy?
They were in high demand
What led to the expansion of sugar production in the Western Hemisphere?
Increased demand for sugar
Why did sugar plantations need slaves to work on them?
Slaves were cheaper to hire than free labor
Study Notes
The Economic Factors Driving Slavery in America
- Ideology did not drive the movement of slaves in America; it was primarily driven by economic factors.
- The colonies in the northern part of the future United States were upset at not being able to acquire slaves at desired prices.
- Slaves were expensive, and only those farming valuable crops could afford to buy them.
- The increase in demand for sugar in European diets led to the expansion of sugar production in the Western Hemisphere.
- Sugar plantations became profitable, leading to the need for slaves to work on them.
- The hypothesis that slaves were more productive than free labor is incorrect; there is no evidence to support this claim.
- Sugar plantations were known for their brutal and dangerous working conditions.
- Death rates on sugar plantations were significantly higher compared to other crops.
- Working in the sugar mills was especially hazardous, with the risk of getting caught in the machinery.
- White indentured labor initially worked on sugar plantations but avoided them due to the dangers involved.
- Slavery was resorted to because sugar plantations could not attract free labor.
- The study of slavery highlights the limitations of markets and the need for a moral foundation in economics.
Test your knowledge on the economic factors driving slavery in America with this insightful quiz. Explore the link between the demand for valuable crops, such as sugar, and the need for slave labor. Discover the dangerous working conditions on sugar plantations and the limitations of markets in the study of slavery. Challenge your understanding of this significant aspect of American history.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
