The Journal of Negro History, Volume 7, 1922

The opening pages trace the birth of American slave society, beginning with the arrival of twenty Africans in Virginia in 1619 and the slow early growth that gave way to a dramatic surge by the late eighteenth century. It explains why slavery migrated from the North to the South, pointing to climate, soil, and economic demands such as cotton, tobacco, rice, and sugar that required large, organized labor forces. By 1790, nearly 680,000 enslaved people were recorded across the colonies, a stark contrast to the modest numbers that had sustained the northern economies.

The narrative then turns to the planter elite who dominated the Southern landscape. It sketches their grand homes, the social rituals that surrounded them, and the way their wealth and political influence reinforced the institution of slavery. Through vivid description of daily life and family structures, the work offers listeners a clear picture of how this ruling class shaped the region’s history and culture.