1/10
There has been a tremendous amount of discussion about racial inequality and slavery in our nation. What many should realize is this: The first slaves in the "New World" were NOT African. THEY WERE IRISH.
2/10
King James I began the Irish slave trade in the New World with the Proclamation of 1625. He ordered 30,000 Irish men to be shipped overseas to the West Indies to be sold into slavery to English settlers.
3/10
Between 1641-1652 ver 500,000 Irish were killed by the English & an additional 300,000 were sold into slavery. Ireland's population fell from 1.5 MILLION to 600,000 IN A SINGLE DECADE. Families were separated by leaving women & children with no protection.
4/10
To solve THIS problem, the English simply rounded up the women & children & sold them as slaves as well. If a woman was able to purchase her freedom, he children remained slaves so women remained in bondage to stay with their children.
5/10
During 1650s
â—ľ100,000 Irish children (age10-14 stolen & sold as slaves in the New World (West Indies New England & Virginia)
â—ľ52, 000 Irish (women & children) were sold in Barbados & Virginia
â—ľ30,000 men &women were sold at auction
â—ľCromwell sold 2000 children in Jamacia
6/10
Many may refer to these people as "indentured servants" but, let's be honest, they were bought & sold by those in power, which IS SLAVERY. These people were bartered like human cattle. It is also worth mentioning that all the above transpired BEFORE the African slave trade.
7/10
It's also worth noting after a CENTURY of Irish slave trade, African slave trade began. Additionally, African slaves were FAR more expensive (50 sterling) compared to Irish (5 Sterling). This made it less monetary setback when owners abused/killed Irish slaves.
8/10
I will also note Irish slaves were less desirable because they were "stained with the hated Catholic theology." Remember, most English settlers were Protestants and hated those who remained in the Catholic faith.
9/10
Irish women & girls were bred for pleasure & profits by owners. Children of slaves were also slaves.
Later, many Irish women were bred to African men to create a cheaper more desirable mulatto work force. Luntil it was outlawed in 1681 because it decreased slavers profits.
10/10
The Irish experience is just ONE example of a ruling nation making slaves of another. Slavery has been around throughout the recorded history of civilazation.
Slavery in the "New World" is NOT just an African experience.
(Ironic FACT in pic below👇)
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