Book SummaryThe Half Has Never Been Told, by Edward E. Baptist

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Half Has Never Been Told

Slavery's growth became intricately entangled with the development of the United States' political, economic, and social fabric.

The proliferation of enslavement throughout the country was instrumental in shaping its societal, economic, and political infrastructure. This article delves into critical events and influential figures that were instrumental in the growth and entrenched impact of the institution of enslavement.

The westward expansion brought slavery into Kentucky.

The contrast between Thomas Jefferson's vision of a free western United States and the reality of a Kentucky deeply embedded in the institution of slavery.

Thomas Jefferson envisioned the western United States as a region where independent farmers, each with their own parcel of land, would be the cultivators rather than it being dominated by a handful of affluent proprietors of enslaved individuals. Thomas Jefferson proposed the prohibition of slavery in the territories extending from the Appalachians to the Mississippi River starting in 1800. The suggestion to ban slavery did not garner sufficient support, resulting in Kentucky evolving into a state where slaveholding was allowed.

The profitability of forced labor in Kentucky attracted significant support from state lawmakers, which in turn enticed influential slaveholders from various areas.

Kentucky's economy was significantly strengthened and attracted wealthy settlers, receiving robust political support due to the forced labor of individuals in bondage. The first census conducted in 1790 showed that over 12,000 individuals were subjected to enslavement, underscoring the early reliance on forced labor. The land's value increased with enslavers like John Breckinridge moving to the region, projecting profits from slavery far beyond any previous income they had acquired.

The rise of a pervasive commerce in enslaved...

The Half Has Never Been Told Summary The critical influence of cotton cultivation and the exploitation of enslaved people in propelling the rise of American capitalism and the country's surge in economic and political dominance.

In this article, we delve into the pivotal role that cotton, cultivated by the enslaved, played in propelling American capitalism and raising the United States to a prominent position in the economic and international arenas.

The pivotal role played by cotton, cultivated by the enslaved, in the rise of global capitalism and the progression of the Industrial Revolution.

Cotton's emergence as the dominant global commodity fueled the expansion of England's textile industry and led to the creation of a global market economy.

African Americans in bondage were essential to the growth of the cotton industry, a key pillar of worldwide capitalism. Cotton from the American South fueled the Industrial Revolution, providing essential materials for textile mills in England and beyond, thus fostering the emergence of a global market economy. The rapid expansion of involuntary labor encampments in the Mississippi Valley in 1819 elevated the United States to the top position as a global cotton exporter, which greatly stimulated the country's economic growth. By 1820, nearly 42 percent of the export value of the United States was attributed to cotton, solidifying New Orleans' position...

The Half Has Never Been Told Summary The crucial part played by individuals and communities in bondage in resisting the expansion of slavery and shaping the history of the United States.

In areas where cotton cultivation was prevalent, African Americans cultivated a distinctive storytelling style marked by its particular rhythm and musical quality.

People in bondage nurtured a shared cultural identity in the burgeoning cotton regions by merging their musical, dance, and oral storytelling traditions. This heritage developed into a form of self-expression and offered emotional strength, while also establishing the groundwork for the rise of American popular music following the downfall of the domestic slave trade.

Music, dance, and vernacular storytelling played a crucial role in fostering community among enslaved individuals, highlighting their distinct artistic talents, and coping with the psychological distress stemming from their involvement in the internal slave trade.

Enslaved people from various estates gathered together to engage in competitions of husking corn. The atmosphere at these social events was vibrant, characterized by men partaking in clever banter and amiable competition, accompanied by an unceasing melody. The lyrics of these melodies ranged from playful verses to deep political commentary, often conveying criticism of those who...

The Half Has Never Been Told Summary During the early 1800s, the United States experienced substantial transformations politically, socially, and culturally, with these shifts being deeply intertwined with the expansion of slavery within its own territories and the rising industrialization in the Northern regions.

This article provides an in-depth examination of how the expansion of slavery, the domestic trade of slaves, the rise of industrialization in the North, and the profound changes of the early nineteenth century jointly molded the United States. The convergence of these elements significantly influenced the country's economic growth, its political boundaries, and social structures.

In the 1830s, the burgeoning industries in the northern states were heavily dependent on the cotton harvested by enslaved people.

In the early 1800s, the expansion of the slave trade within the country and the surge in cotton output, which depended on slave labor in the Southern states, greatly propelled the industrial advancement of the Northeastern United States. The prosperity and power of southern slaveholders facilitated substantial investments that supported actions conducive to the expansion and cultivation of cotton. The foundational industry for the world's next significant industrial shift began within the cotton mills situated in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, which went on to impact the broader economic landscape of the northern states.

The rapidly expanding industrial sector in the...