African American labor

Definition

African American labor refers to the work performed by individuals of African descent in various industries and sectors during the early 1800s. This term encompasses both enslaved individuals who were forced to work under oppressive conditions and free African Americans who sought employment opportunities.

Related terms

Cotton gin: A machine invented by Eli Whitney that revolutionized cotton production by efficiently separating seeds from fibers, leading to increased demand for slave labor in the Southern United States.

Plantation: Large agricultural estates primarily found in the Southern United States where cash crops like cotton, tobacco, and sugar were cultivated using enslaved African American labor.

Domestic servitude: The practice of employing enslaved or free African Americans as household servants, performing tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and childcare within private residences.