What would America be like if there never was slavery?

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CHOASXIII

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#1 CHOASXIII
Member since 2009 • 14716 Posts
Like if black people were never enslaved and brought to America... What do you think?
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Engrish_Major

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#2 Engrish_Major
Member since 2007 • 17373 Posts
Not sure if America would be too different, as we get tons of immirants already. However, Western Africa would probably be a much better place. We utterly destroyed communities there for centuries.
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leviathan91

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#3 leviathan91
Member since 2007 • 7763 Posts

There would be indentured servants.

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Ontain

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#4 Ontain
Member since 2005 • 25501 Posts
Race probably wouldn't be the ubiquitous issue that it is in American culture today.
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comp_atkins

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#5 comp_atkins
Member since 2005 • 38939 Posts
lighter?
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Legendaryscmt

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#6 Legendaryscmt
Member since 2005 • 12532 Posts

I think there would be a lot less racial tension. However, it would have also changed the South in some sort of way, since during colonial times and beyond slavery was heavily relied on for their economy.

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rawsavon

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#7 rawsavon
Member since 2004 • 40001 Posts

Race probably wouldn't be the ubiquitous issue that it is in American culture today.Ontain

This.

Most people would be seen to exist on equal footing.
Also, there would not be that many black people in the United States...furthermore, I think 'black americans' would be a lot different than they are today.

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rawsavon

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#8 rawsavon
Member since 2004 • 40001 Posts

I think there would be a lot less racial tension. However, it would have also changed the South in some sort of way, since during colonial times and beyond slavery was heavily relied on for their economy.

Legendaryscmt
Just replace slaves with poor Americans
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POPEYE1716

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#9 POPEYE1716
Member since 2003 • 4749 Posts

We would not have gettos

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rawsavon

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#10 rawsavon
Member since 2004 • 40001 Posts

We would not have gettos

POPEYE1716
Why is that :? -there would still be poor people of all races
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Dr_Brocoli

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#11 Dr_Brocoli
Member since 2007 • 3724 Posts
the majority of the populace would be white. And Africa would be a superpower!
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deactivated-5d3f5f1ece8fb

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#12 deactivated-5d3f5f1ece8fb
Member since 2004 • 865 Posts

I wonder if our economy would be where it is today(of course we're in a recession) if we didn't have the slave based economy.

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BiancaDK

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#14 BiancaDK
Member since 2008 • 19092 Posts
it would be crazy town
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LikeHaterade

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#15 LikeHaterade
Member since 2007 • 10645 Posts

Coming from someone that has lived their entire life in the south, I'd say there would be far less annoying/ignorant people.

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JML897

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#16 JML897
Member since 2004 • 33134 Posts

Coming from someone that has lived their entire life in the south, I'd say there would be far less annoying/ignorant people.

LikeHaterade

They'd still be annoying and ignorant, just not about race. They'd just concentrate on homosexuals, other religions, or something.

And to the guy who said there would be no ghettos....:|

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LikeHaterade

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#17 LikeHaterade
Member since 2007 • 10645 Posts

[QUOTE="LikeHaterade"]

Coming from someone that has lived their entire life in the south, I'd say there would be far less annoying/ignorant people.

JML897

They'd still be annoying and ignorant, just not about race. They'd just concentrate on homosexuals, other religions, or something.

You're right about that. Shame...

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xTheExploited

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#18 xTheExploited
Member since 2007 • 12094 Posts
Music would be very different. Or at least there would be a lot more Eminems. :P
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fidosim

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#19 fidosim
Member since 2003 • 12901 Posts
I'm sure there wouldn't be the perennial issues of poverty and lack of education among blacks in the south.
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EMOEVOLUTION

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#20 EMOEVOLUTION
Member since 2008 • 8998 Posts
well the practice of slavery wasn't exclusive behavior in America.. slavery has been around a very long time. I can't really say for sure what America would be like though without it apart of it's past.
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deactivated-5985f1128b98f

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#21 deactivated-5985f1128b98f
Member since 2007 • 1914 Posts

However, Western Africa would probably be a much better place. We utterly destroyed communities there for centuries.Engrish_Major

How do you figure this? The vast majority of slaves taken from Africa by Europeans were already slaves of the tribe they were bought from.

I'm not justifying slavery or trying to diminish the evil of what was done, but all the colonial powers have been out of Africa for over 40 years. Shouldn't Africans take some responsibility for their condition now?

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quiglythegreat

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#22 quiglythegreat
Member since 2006 • 16886 Posts
it'd be really different. the South would never have been able to flourish at all. we would obviously lose African-Americans' huge cultural influences. economically, we would have been in trouble and that would have made our history play out in very different ways I believe. the Civil War would probably not have happened. i don't know, I mean, slavery was a massive institution, it'd difficult to predict a history given the entire removal of one system.
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one_plum

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#23 one_plum
Member since 2009 • 6825 Posts

Martin Luther King Jr. would have never been a famous figure and probably wouldn't have been assassinated.

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clayron

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#24 clayron
Member since 2003 • 10121 Posts
The U.S. would probably be exactly the same sans the slavery issue. And I believe the U.S. would likely have far fewer blacks, how else would such large populations of blacks get over here? Since U.S. slavery did not invent racism there would still be racism. There would still be ethnic tension, there always has been and there always will be. I seriously do not think too much would change. There would be change of course, but I see no reason for major changes.
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quiglythegreat

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#25 quiglythegreat
Member since 2006 • 16886 Posts

Martin Luther King Jr. would have never been a famous figure and probably wouldn't have been assassinated.

one_plum
think a little further back: his ancestors would never have had any reason to be kidnapped from Africa, so he would not be in America, if he could be said to exist at all in this alternate reality.
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rawsavon

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#26 rawsavon
Member since 2004 • 40001 Posts
The U.S. would probably be exactly the same sans the slavery issue. And I believe the U.S. would likely have far fewer blacks, how else would such large populations of blacks get over here? Since U.S. slavery did not invent racism there would still be racism. There would still be ethnic tension, there always has been and there always will be. I seriously do not think too much would change. There would be change of course, but I see no reason for major changes.clayron
There would/will always be tension...but things would be more equitable. -the slave/master power struggle has continued to this day -IMO the biggest sourec of tension would be class But i do agree there would be very few Black people here in the US
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Virtual_Price

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#27 Virtual_Price
Member since 2010 • 5710 Posts
Ummm... They're wouldn't be an American Civil War.
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Rec-neps

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#28 Rec-neps
Member since 2006 • 505 Posts

The North would continue to still tax the living hell out of the southern states to pay for their debts. This would still caus the civil war, but with no issue to demonize the South later in the war the South gains wide support from more people in America and from countries like Britian and ends up winning.

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rawsavon

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#29 rawsavon
Member since 2004 • 40001 Posts

Ummm... They're wouldn't be an American Civil War. Virtual_Price

Maybe...maybe not
-slavery was not the main issue of the civil war (despite what is taught in middle school history)
-the North in South were two totally different countries...

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clayron

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#30 clayron
Member since 2003 • 10121 Posts
[QUOTE="clayron"]The U.S. would probably be exactly the same sans the slavery issue. And I believe the U.S. would likely have far fewer blacks, how else would such large populations of blacks get over here? Since U.S. slavery did not invent racism there would still be racism. There would still be ethnic tension, there always has been and there always will be. I seriously do not think too much would change. There would be change of course, but I see no reason for major changes.rawsavon
There would/will always be tension...but things would be more equitable. -the slave/master power struggle has continued to this day -IMO the biggest sourec of tension would be class But i do agree there would be very few Black people here in the US

Holy crap, I did not even notice you Rawsavon. Can you explain the slave/master power struggle to me? I am very vague on that issue.
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rawsavon

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#31 rawsavon
Member since 2004 • 40001 Posts

The North would continue to still tax the living hell out of the southern states to pay for their debts. This would still caus the civil war, but with no issue to demonize the South later in the war the South gains wide support from more people in America and from countries like Britian and ends up winning.

Rec-neps
That I could see happening
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Virtual_Price

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#32 Virtual_Price
Member since 2010 • 5710 Posts

[QUOTE="Virtual_Price"]Ummm... They're wouldn't be an American Civil War. rawsavon

Maybe...maybe not
-slavery was not the main issue of the civil war (despite what is taught in middle school history)
-the North in South were two totally different countries...

I never thought about that.
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rawsavon

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#33 rawsavon
Member since 2004 • 40001 Posts

[QUOTE="rawsavon"][QUOTE="clayron"]The U.S. would probably be exactly the same sans the slavery issue. And I believe the U.S. would likely have far fewer blacks, how else would such large populations of blacks get over here? Since U.S. slavery did not invent racism there would still be racism. There would still be ethnic tension, there always has been and there always will be. I seriously do not think too much would change. There would be change of course, but I see no reason for major changes.clayron
There would/will always be tension...but things would be more equitable. -the slave/master power struggle has continued to this day -IMO the biggest sourec of tension would be class But i do agree there would be very few Black people here in the US

Holy crap, I did not even notice you Rawsavon. Can you explain the slave/master power struggle to me? I am very vague on that issue.

When one race (class, etc.) holds such power over another for that long, it will be felt for quite some time
-basically one group stole another's life (took them far away and changed everything about them)
-over time this 'relationship' manifests itself in a number of ways.

I can't say for sure what people felt like back then (none of us can), but IMO it would go something like this:
-slaves had to be in denial (can't believe this is happening when first brought over), outrage (fight back), acceptance (can't change the situation) and internalization (inferiority complex)...then chance to break free,but realization that little changed outside of the term 'slave' (after they were set free).
-while those in power would first rationalize theirbehavior by seeing blacks as nothign more than animals

All this has lead to a VERY slow march towards real equality...where people see each other not just as equals (as far as people), but also see them on equal footing.

Blacks have to overcome the slave role of seeing themselves as less than whites and holding a grudge
Whites have to get over seeing themselves as superior and learn to understand what Blacks went through (even just 50 years ago)

This all makes much more sense in my head...I tried to keep it short...should be a 10 page essay
I must also say that if slavery had not happened the same thing would have occured with poor americans 'working' for land owners...we would have more of a cla$$ divide than a racial one...with the same roles I described

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rawsavon

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#34 rawsavon
Member since 2004 • 40001 Posts

[QUOTE="rawsavon"]

[QUOTE="Virtual_Price"]Ummm... They're wouldn't be an American Civil War. Virtual_Price

Maybe...maybe not
-slavery was not the main issue of the civil war (despite what is taught in middle school history)
-the North in South were two totally different countries...

I never thought about that.

Most do not...it easier to vilify the South (rightfully so) than to consider all the issues caused the War.
-also, keep in mind, that the winner gets to tell the tale as they see it.

The North was not about helping Blacks...it was just an 'issue' to use
-all you have to do is look at the treatment of Blacks after the war

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Xx_Hopeless_xX

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#35 Xx_Hopeless_xX
Member since 2009 • 16562 Posts

Well there probably wouldn't be any "white guilt"..

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Virtual_Price

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#36 Virtual_Price
Member since 2010 • 5710 Posts

Well there probably wouldn't be any "white guilt"..

Xx_Hopeless_xX
I lol'd so hard when I read that, for some reason.
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rawsavon

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#37 rawsavon
Member since 2004 • 40001 Posts

Well there probably wouldn't be any "white guilt"..

Xx_Hopeless_xX
Just rich guilt :P
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Xx_Hopeless_xX

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#38 Xx_Hopeless_xX
Member since 2009 • 16562 Posts

[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

Well there probably wouldn't be any "white guilt"..

rawsavon

Just rich guilt :P

Why would rich people feel guilty :o..?

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loft8000

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#39 loft8000
Member since 2008 • 1435 Posts

There would be no black civil rights movement so basically all non white races probably wouldnt have many rights and America would overall still think of non-whites as lesser people.

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Virtual_Price

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#40 Virtual_Price
Member since 2010 • 5710 Posts
[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

[QUOTE="rawsavon"][QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

Well there probably wouldn't be any "white guilt"..

Just rich guilt :P

Why would rich people feel guilty :o..?

That's what I was wondering... :P
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rawsavon

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#41 rawsavon
Member since 2004 • 40001 Posts
[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

[QUOTE="rawsavon"][QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

Well there probably wouldn't be any "white guilt"..

Just rich guilt :P

Why would rich people feel guilty :o..?

Read my posts...same thing would have happened w/out slaves...just insert poor people (like in feudal times) -so now there would be a cla$$ divide (instead of a racial one)
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Xx_Hopeless_xX

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#42 Xx_Hopeless_xX
Member since 2009 • 16562 Posts

[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

[QUOTE="rawsavon"] Just rich guilt :Prawsavon

Why would rich people feel guilty :o..?

Read my posts...same thing would have happened w/out slaves...just insert poor people (like in feudal times) -so now there would be a cla$$ divide (instead of a racial one)

I would be like.."ohh my moneys...you can't has none of dems!!" :P..

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rawsavon

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#43 rawsavon
Member since 2004 • 40001 Posts
[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

[QUOTE="rawsavon"][QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

Why would rich people feel guilty :o..?

Read my posts...same thing would have happened w/out slaves...just insert poor people (like in feudal times) -so now there would be a cla$$ divide (instead of a racial one)

I would be like.."ohh my moneys...you can't has none of dems!!" :P..

LOL...I was just going off what you said 'that there actually is white guilt'
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Virtual_Price

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#44 Virtual_Price
Member since 2010 • 5710 Posts
[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

[QUOTE="rawsavon"][QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

Why would rich people feel guilty :o..?

Read my posts...same thing would have happened w/out slaves...just insert poor people (like in feudal times) -so now there would be a cla$$ divide (instead of a racial one)

I would be like.."ohh my moneys...you can't has none of dems!!" :P..

:lol: I think everybody would say that...
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moonlightcharm6

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#45 moonlightcharm6
Member since 2009 • 1581 Posts
well it would be total different race may not be such a problem. and you wouldn't have many inventions, music etc. a lot of stuff would be different.
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rawsavon

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#46 rawsavon
Member since 2004 • 40001 Posts
well it would be total different race may not be such a problem. and you wouldn't have many inventions, music etc. a lot of stuff would be different.moonlightcharm6
Music would be a terrible loss... :(
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markop2003

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#47 markop2003
Member since 2005 • 29917 Posts
The economy would probably be a bit smaller but the Irish and Chinese would fill the role that black people used to hold as the lowest class and it's quite likely the same racial tensions between black and white people would exist between these groups.
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mrbojangles25

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#48 mrbojangles25
Member since 2005 • 60846 Posts

there'd be fewer black people for starters, and whatever blacks there would be here would be immigrants and treated as second class people like they are in France.

Seriously...only homeless people I saw were black in France, I didnt see one walking to work or anything

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deactivated-58188738395f3

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#50 deactivated-58188738395f3
Member since 2008 • 1161 Posts

If this whole transatlantic slave trade never happened, then the relationships between blacks and whites would have been a lot better today. Slavery ruined blacks financially and in Brazil where slavery lasted much longer than in the United States, blacks still haven't recovered from the effects of slavery and many are still at the bottom of the social hierarchy.