Evaluate the extent which Trans-Atlantic interactions from...

Before the 17th century, Africans were not seen as â€Å"black†, but as â€Å"pagan†. The subtle change to racism occurred in this century as Trans-Atlantic trade developed. In the time period from 1600 to 1763, labor systems in British America changed drastically in the West Indian islands and the Southern colonies because of Trans-Atlantic trade, but they stayed similar in the Middle and New England colonies to what they were before constant trade across the Atlantic was introduced. First, there is the change resulting from the South Atlantic System. This system was made up of slaves from Africa going to the West Indies owned by Great Britain, sugar being harvested from the West Indies going to England who sold it to other countries, who then†¦show more content†¦This resulted in a labor change similar to that in the West Indies. The work necessary to grow rice and export it to England was brutal, so slaves were constantly being imported from Africa to replac e those who had died. This continual supply of slaves resulted in a black majority in 1705 which grew until 80% of the population in rice-growing areas of South Carolina was made up of Africans. In the New England and Middle colonies very little change was seen in the way labor systems were used. Though these areas benefited immensely from the South Atlantic System, they were only a place where goods were transferred from the West Indian islands and the Southern colonies to England. Combined, indentured servants and slaves made up about 30 % of the workforce in New York City and Philadelphia up until the 1750s with very little fluctuation. Almost half of the population of major sea-ports such as Boston and Philadelphia were made up of artisan families. The children of these families learned their trades through an apprenticeship to an older relative and then passed on the skills they learned. Overall, changes to the labor systems in the English West Indies and the Southern colonies were brought about by an increase in slaves, while the New England and Middle colonies kept continuity in their labor systems by not needing an overwhelming number of slaves to work their smaller farms and artisan