The History of Slavery in the United States

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video provides a comprehensive introduction to the history of slavery in the United States, designed for middle-grade students. It begins by defining slavery as a system where humans are treated as property without choice or pay, and traces the origins from the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade beginning in 1619 to the abolition of slavery in 1865. The video does not shy away from the harsh realities of the era, discussing the brutal conditions of the Middle Passage, the trauma of slave auctions and family separation, and the physical violence used to enforce the system. The narrative covers the legal and social structures that maintained slavery, including the Slave Codes that prohibited literacy and gathering, and the economic reliance of the South on slave labor for cotton and tobacco production. It explains the political divide between Free States and Slave States that eventually led to the Civil War and the formation of the Confederacy. The video also highlights the distinct differences between field and house labor and the meager living conditions within slave quarters. Finally, the video extends beyond the Emancipation Proclamation to discuss the immediate aftermath of the Civil War. It introduces the concept of sharecropping, explaining how legal slavery was replaced by economic systems that continued to oppress Black Americans. This resource serves as a foundational tool for history classrooms, helping students understand the systemic nature of slavery and its lasting impact on American history.