Changes in America

Changes in America

In a period identified with significant movements in settlement of people as well as trade from other continents, America changed significantly in terms of culture and economic status. The considerable influx of slaves from Africa, brought by Europeans, especially from the United Kingdom, had a vital impact on the future cultural exchange of the continent. Trade relations were also a significant source of the critical changes that took place in America. Much of the policies, cultural and ethnic groups, and economic success present in America today are a result of the activities in the mid-1600s to the late 1700s. It is through the economic exchange as well as the slave trade that occurred during those times that America is what it is today. The internal migration by different people considerably changed America, and activities, including business and such, have substantially affected what it is today.

Slave trade was an element that was unavoidable at that period, mainly due to the increased number of colonies as well as the rising activity of farming in American lands. Many slaves were brought from West Africa across the Atlantic Ocean, and they were taken to various parts of America, including the Caribbean’sCaribbean’s and North America, other slaves were transported to South America, where we had Spanish colonies. As Montoya et al. confirm, “the majority of slaves were taken from west-central Africa, a region that today includes part of Gabon, Congo, Zaire, and Angola” (108). The Portuguese were the significant carriers making sure that they brought as many slaves, especially males who would work in the sugar plantations. The produce from the sugarcane farms was a substantial boost to the economies and brought with it a significant impact on various aspects of trade along the transatlantic. The slavery element in that era was essential in affecting the ethnic group present in America today to the extent of having black Americans. If it were not for slavery, then there would not be any Black Americans, and there would be little to say about America’sAmerica’s vast culture.

The image above represents slaves in transit from one continent to the other via ship. Despite the hostile nature by which the slaves were kept and, additionally, the kind of jobs they did after arriving in their respective colonies. The impact of African slaves to the culture of America is quite significant. Without slavery, there would not be any people of color in America, and definitely, there would be less to say concerning the achievements that Black people have brought to America.

The image above is a representation of the slavery period that was marked by slaves coming from Africa to do farm jobs, including the production of sugarcane. As portrayed in the picture. A Whiteman is supervising the output while another on the background is mercilessly whipping a slave. It is evident that slaves were vital for the production of most crops during the 1600s period, and the later inclusivity as a part of America’sAmerica’s ethnic group is significantly essential. Slaves can, therefore, be regarded as vital resources that engineered the rise of America as a robust economic continent and ensured a diversity in its culture.

Increased trade in America, as well as refinement of the economic status of most British American colonies, was affected by the amount of business that they did to get the more exceptional items they needed for their homes inclusive of clothes. Such things were not entirely purchased because they were required but mostly because they were tools for identifying high social class. Such items included “embroidered west coats, clay pipes, fancy snuff boxes, card tables, sets of carved chairs, china plates, and silver forks” (Montoya et al. 133). The need for such items led to the production of more tobacco, sugarcane, and cotton in the farms where most slaves worked. Despite needing the currency to buy the fancy stuff, most of the result of producing and selling more tobacco, sugar, and cotton led to an increase in trade. It thus boosted the economies of the colonies into levels they could not have risen in many years. The proceeds of the products were used to purchase such items that helped the British American colonies achieve higher social classes and feel that they were viewed with more respect. Montoya et al. assert that “planters sold their tobacco to the warehouses and in return, received credits, which functioned as currency and could be used with local merchants” (133). As a result, there was a significant change in trade and economic power for America. Without the introduction of such merchandize there would not be any motivation to have more production and sales for the farmers in that period.

The clay pipe was among the priced commodities that were viewed as items showing high social status. Due to that reason, most settlers felt the need to own such merchandize and to ensure they could afford them from merchants. The production of most products, including tobacco, had to be maximized. The action led to more production and more sales in terms of exchange of produce for items and even getting the preferred currency during that period. For this reason, there was increased trade and production that greatly influenced the future of America for many centuries to come.

Activities that happened centuries ago are the best explanation for what America is today. Without such, America would not be what it is today. The incoming of slaves and having them work in American farms brought about an increase in economic trade through the farm produce as well as an integration of a different culture into the American ethnography. It is vital to understand that such activities defined how America would currently be. Ergo, the introduction of merchandise to the colonial farmers back then was essential in making them feel they needed to be viewed as from higher social class and thus made them do more in producing more so they could afford merchandise that changed how people saw them. The past has a way of defining the future, and such activities were the defining tools that shaped America to what it is today.

Works Cited

Montoya, Maria et al. Global Americans. A History of the United States. 1st ed., Cengage Learning, 2018.