Subject
Slave labor Books
Best books
Ulrich Bonnell Phillips
American Negro Slavery A Survey of the Supply, Employment and Control of Negro Labor as Determined by the Plantation Regime
"American Negro Slavery" by Ulrich Bonnell Phillips is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book provides a detailed examination of the transatlantic slave trade, focusing on the supply, employment, and systemic control of African labor within the plantation system in America. It endeavors to unpack significant themes around the exploitation and management of enslaved people, with particular emphasis on the economic and social implications of slavery on both sides of the Atlantic. The opening of the work lays a foundation for understanding the origins of the slave trade, beginning with the Portuguese exploration of Guinea in the 15th century. Phillips discusses early encounters between Europeans and Africans, highlighting how initial motivations were framed in terms of moral crusading yet were rapidly eclipsed by commercial greed. By detailing the early capture and transport of Africans to European countries, the text mirrors a narrative of burgeoning exploitation that would expand significantly with the establishment of plantations in the New World. Through a blend of historical context and economic analysis, it sets the stage for a comprehensive discussion about the systemic aspects and impact of slavery on both the enslaved and the institutions that depended on their labor.
George Fitzhugh
Cannibals all! or, Slaves without masters
"Cannibals All! or, Slaves Without Masters" by George Fitzhugh is a polemical treatise written in the mid-19th century. This work argues for the institution of slavery, positing that the conditions faced by free laborers in society are often worse than those experienced by slaves. Fitzhugh presents the concept of "white slavery," suggesting that capitalists exploit laborers more ruthlessly than slave owners treat their slaves. The opening of the book outlines Fitzhugh's key argument: that all individuals, particularly those in more privileged social classes, are complicit in a system that exploits those who labor while enriching those who do not. He uses stark language to challenge readers, accusing them of practicing a form of cannibalism by thriving off the unremunerated labor of others. He further elaborates on the dynamics of labor, capital, and social relations, suggesting that the capitalist system creates a situation where free laborers are left as "slaves without a master," burdened with responsibilities and cares that their slave counterparts are exempt from. This sets the stage for a broader critique of societal structures and the moral implications of economic systems, which Fitzhugh believes ultimately necessitate a re-evaluation of the institution of slavery itself.
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