Once slavery was introduced in America, a storm of mistreatment of mankind ensued. Slaves were an alternative to indentured servants, which proved to be a very popular and economical solution to the labor problem among farmers. Americans began importing thousands of enslaved African workers and selling them to landowners as lifelong property. As the indentured population decreased and African slaves became cheaper, the popularity and spread of African slavery grew. In the late 1600s, early America was marked by myriad controversies; nothing more than the birth of slave labor. European settlers in America were among the majority when purchasing African slave laborers. Many of these people believed that the African slaves were not their equals and that their only purpose was to serve their master race. This was taught through normal educational values ​​as well as within their Christian religion. To lure these African slaves to the Americas, many were stolen from their homeland and/or were promised various falsehoods. The Europeans, who employed these slaves, rationalized that they were the superior race to the Africans and that they were providing them with a better life. Slavery was not always an accepted practice. Early American settlers remained divided regarding its morality and legality. Although, in its infancy, the North accepted slavery and practiced its use, it was the South that deepened its practice. The majority of the North did not approve of slavery culminating in the introduction and passage of the Emancipation Proclamation. The South remained opposed to the idea of ​​freeing slaves. The South depended on slaves who worked on their plantations and provided free labor to... middle of paper... the South to maintain its economy and lifestyle without the use of slaves was the focal point of their defense. Southerners were desperate to keep slavery intact for future generations, and the North was determined to see its end. This led to the American Civil War of 1861, when the South intended to maintain its position through the use of force in South Carolina. Works Cited Henretta, J., Brody, D., 2009. America, A Concise History. Boston, NY: Bedford/Saint Martin's Slave Life and Slave Codes ushistory.org February 10, 2014 http://www.ushistory.org/us/27b.asp Boston, N., Hallam, J., The Slave Experience: Freedom & Emancipation pbs.org February 10, 2014 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/experience/freedom/history2.html Enslavement & The Underground Railroad (1400s-1863) pbs.org February 10, 2014http://www. pbs.org/wnet/slavery/experience/freedom/history2.html