what would the US look like if we never had slavery? (generations, racism)

[jmarquise]

question is in the title of the thread. what would the united states look like if there was never slavery? slaves helped build the nation, but a war fought over slavery destroyed parts of it. I can tell you one thing, I bet it would look very different.

[Do a Barrel Roll]

If that was the case, the U.S. would probably be comparable to countries such as Canada, Australia, and South Korea. It would definitely as, if not slightly more industrious. The standard of living would be at the least as good as in recent decades, if not better. But one of the most notable changes would be that African immigrants (which would constitute most of the "African American" population) would be in the same boat and social position as Asians and South Indians, not having to deal with the historical aftermaths of slavery, treatment of blacks, and stigmas that have former throughout the years. And finally, it would be easier for me to have a love life with women outside of my race; not just in Cali and other western states and cities, but even in the Dixie and Yankee areas

[jtur88]

Like Canada.

[Lior Arel]

That would be one heck of a Butterfly Effect! What inventions, philsophies, styles were directly or indirectly influenced from slaves or former slaves or as the result of slavery, etc. The entire world would most likely be quite different.

[KantLockeMeIn]

Originally Posted by jtur88

Like Canada.

You're not suggesting that there was no slavery in Canada, are you?

[Luke29]

Well, there would be fewer black people if any.

[CatManDoo]

An episode of "Dynasty."

[Innovator831021]

Alot of black people would be way worse off, they would probably be infected with aids somewhere in Africa.

[captaincatfish]

Originally Posted by jmarquise

question is in the title of the thread. what would the united states look like if there was never slavery? slaves helped build the nation, but a war fought over slavery destroyed parts of it. I can tell you one thing, I bet it would look very different.

First off, a few 'props'...J, you're one of my favorite CD posters...I enjoy reading your posts, whether I am in total agreement with you, or I say 'WTF was he/she THINKING??!!!', because you ask sane and intelligent questions that beg sane, intelligent answers...

Like this one...as a black man, I've often wondered what life would have been like for my 'ancestors' had there not been slavery, or a Civil War with slavery as one of the root causes...would some enterprising person have taken it upon themselves to leave the continent and explore beyond its' borders, in search of a new life for himself and others?

And what of the many inventions that black folk were responsible for? Would any of those ever have come to fruition had blacks NOT been enslaved? And I totally agree with whomever posted that there would not be all of the historic backlash and conditions (i.e. 'white guilt', 'reparations', etc)...

And JNestorr is right in his/her own way---there most certainly would be fewer of us...but how would that affect future generations---and indeed, what kind of America would we be living in now, based on that particular alternate history?

PS---speaking of 'alternate history', any of my fellow posters who are readers and history buffs should check out the works of one Harry Turtledove...he's written several 'alternate timeline' looks at recent history, and one of his most recent (which just wrapped up, BTW) is a look into his take on what would have happened if the Confederacy had NOT lost the Civil War...no matter which 'side' you were/are on, it's an utterly fascinanting read, and asks (like JMarquise did) a lot of sane and intelligent questions

[evilnewbie]

If there was no slavery then 99% of the black population would be in Africa and living in crappy hovels... whereas the rest of the world would be just as where they are now except for the lack of the U.S. Civil War, less affirmative action, etc. etc. associated with the results of the slave trade... There would still be racism, perhaps at a greater level than it is today. Most Americans would be white and the Hispanics would be the "new" blacks in America since there would be practically no black people in America...