Modern age is considered to be the epoch of tolerance and democracy. Every person is supposed to have the same rights as his/ her neighbor has. However, there are still problems connected with race discrimination. Unfortunately, very often even nowadays people judge by the color of skin or some other factor. Of course, this attitude is a relic from the past, when people used to be not so tolerant towards each other and accepted the idea of slavery, taking it as an eternal part of society. Great number of scientists try to understand roots of slavery in order to get rid of modern manifestations of this phenomenon.
The work A Brief History of the Caribbean by Jan Rogozinksi is devoted to investigation of the history of this region of the world and it is obvious that the issue of slavery is also touched there. The reason for it lies in the fact that 9 out of 10 men on these islands were slaves. They were used as a cheap workforce because a great number of sugar plantations were founded in this region. That is why, these lands were the place where thousands of people lived under horrible conditions. The difference between death and birth rates can serve as the best evidence of the horrible life on these islands People became extinct there and new and new slaves were needed.
Mainly due to this fact, about 2500000 of slaves were exported to this area. This number seems incredible. Almost 3 million of people were doomed to work under horrible conditions and die. It is obvious, that a great number of soldiers needed to control them, that is why forts were built.
However, it is difficult to believe that they were the main force which controlled all slaves. It is obvious, that the number of planters and all other noble people was much lower than the number of slaves, however, there were no serious rebels. It could be suggested that it was possible due to the mentality of slaves. The whole generations of people lived in slavery and it was impossible for them to imagine that they could have some other life. That is why, they just accomplished their work, having no hope for better life. Only some change in mentality promoted beginning of the struggle for abolishment of slavery.
Besides, it is obvious, that the majority of slaves came to the Caribbean basin from Africa. This continent was known as a huge market of slaves where the majority of colonial empires of those times got cheap workforce. British Empire and France took people from Africa and carried them to England at first and then to the New World. Barbados and Jamaica were known as the main havens where slaves arrived. From this place they were distributed further. This fact can serve as the best evidence of the treatment of slaves as a good. However, not only Europeans had such attitude. The thing is that the majority of slaves were bought from their African owners.
It seems incredible, though, even local kings and chiefs sold people from their tribes. If there is a demand, there will be a supply. Having quickly understood the main idea of European colonizers, African chiefs did not try to prevent it and even promoted development of slavery. That is why, it is useless to speak about the vicious character of Europeans and blame them only in development of slavery. However, they promoted its spread all over the world.
Moreover, trying to deliver slaves to different parts of the world, Europeans did not worry about the conditions under which these people were transported. Sadly remembered Middle Passage can serve as the best example of horrible conditions under which people travelled from one part of the world to another. It was the main route of the slave trade and majority of ships used it to take slaves from Africa and deliver them to Europe and then to America. 13 percent of slaves died during this travels. It was rather surprising, as slaves were expensive and captains were interested in minimizing losses. However, all efforts were useless, as they still wanted to take as many people as it was possible and as the result congestion promoted development of different diseases and increased the death rate.
However, it should also be said that Caribbean slavery had some peculiarities which made it unique. First of all, planters had an absolute power there. They had to control each step of the company and that is why slaves were treated especially rigorously. Hard labor combined with horrible conditions and attitude of a planter made the life of slaves unbearable. Moreover, Island laws gave unlimited powers to slave owners. That is why, they could do whatever they wanted. Resting on this fact, it is possible to suggest that the life of slaves was easier in urban area as they had to do some other tasks and conditions were better. Moreover, the attitude towards them was not so strict and as a result they lived better, if this word can be applied to their lives.
Moreover, horrible conditions led to low birth rate. Scientists still argue why Caribbean slaves had so few children. It is possible to suggest that hard work and climate influenced badly the health of women. That is why, they were not able to give birth to a child and planters had to by new and new slaves, promoting development of slavery.
Development of sugar plantations resulted in the appearance of special attitude towards slavery. It could be seen in the mentality of people of Southern States of the USA. Being against abolishment of slavery, they provoked civil war. That is why, slavery can be called on of the main reasons of the war which is often called one of the most vital steps in abolishment of slavery.
Having analyzed main peculiarities of slavery and slave trade of the Caribbean basin, it is possible to make some conclusions. First of all, it is obvious that slavery was one of the key factors of development of a great number of colonies and plantations in the New World. Serving as cheap workforce, slaves from Africa had to do everything their owner told them. Moreover, it is possible to speak about a certain mentality peculiar for slaves in those time.
They could not imagine another destiny because since their childhood these people had to work on plantations or somewhere else. However, they managed to change their attitude towards the issue and obtained freedom. Nevertheless, the question of slavery can serve as the bright example of consumer attitude towards people. It should be further investigated for people not to forget about it and not to repeat the same mistakes.