In the persistent narrative around America’s historical relationship with slavery, certain facts seem to be overshadowed or conveniently ignored. The transatlantic slave trade, spanning 350 years, involved the forced migration of about 12.5 million Africans to the Americas. Yet, only a small fraction of these individuals ended up in what would become the United States. Approximately 3.6% of the total, around 388,000 people, were sent to the 13 original American colonies. This number pales in comparison to the 4.9 million who went to Brazil alone, not to mention the millions more dispersed throughout the Caribbean.
The narrative often taught in schools suggests a monolithic portrayal of widespread slave ownership among American whites. However, the reality is that in 1860, on the eve of the Civil War, about 8% of American families owned slaves. This equates to approximately 393,975 slaveholders amidst a population exceeding 31 million. Therefore, many American whites never owned slaves, a point that challenges commonly held perceptions and adds nuance to the broader historical context.
Furthermore, the institution of slavery in the United States was legally abolished in 1865 after existing in some form since the early 1600s—spanning well over two centuries. In contrast, slavery persisted as a legal institution in various cultures around the world for centuries, and in some cases, for millennia. For instance, certain African nations maintained legalized slavery well into the 20th century, with the last country abolishing it as late as 1981.
It becomes essential, therefore, to adopt a wider perspective when discussing the global history of slavery. The focus should not be narrowly fixed on America’s involvement without recognizing the broader historical patterns and the participation of numerous other countries in the slave trade. Singling out America as particularly guilty oversimplifies a complex historical phenomenon shared by multiple regions and cultures.
In light of these facts, it is misleading to ascribe a unique burden of guilt to the United States regarding slavery. While the consequences of slavery in America should not be dismissed or minimized, they must be understood within a global framework where guilt and responsibility were distributed across nations. Understanding this broader context is crucial in fostering a more balanced and comprehensive discussion about history, rather than perpetuating a narrative that is not wholly accurate.
