Most people are not well informed about slavery and it’s history in the world and America. Slaves were people who were taken against their will to provide labor or services for others. This was not a race issue… it was an economic issue (even though most slaves were black Africans). Historically, other forms of slavery involved white slaves; many ancient civilizations had slaves; and almost all North American, Central American and South American Indian tribes kept slaves from enemy tribes..

Nearly all of the 10 to 15 million blacks transported to the New World between 1550 and 1850 were settled on large plantations in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, particularly 40% going to the Portuguese Colony of Brazil. The US imported the fewest number of slaves, around 500,000 (3.3 % to 5% of the total). Western Civilization itself brought an end to Slavers (those who transported and resold Slaves). America outlawed Slavery (the keeping of Slaves) via the American Civil War (which killed over 600-thousand Union and Confederate soldiers) and the Emancipation Proclamation in the 1860’s. Unfortunately, the American Indian was repressed as the West was settled (but this was also an economic issue not a race issue); and, modern slavery (human trafficking) still exists in 167 countries affecting over 46 million people according to the US State Department.

Noted Historian Thomas Sowell has an excellent video that presents background on how Slavery ended. His Video highlights that white people did not enslave black people; black people enslaved them; more than half stayed in Africa; and all too often the African slave-traders and slave-holders meted out harsh and inhumane treatment to the Slaves.

Please take the time to view this 9-minute Video: