African Americans in Colonial America - Research Paper Topics

African Americans in Colonial America - Research Paper TopicsAfrican Americans and the history of slavery are often the subject of college research papers. These papers are meant to be read by a wide range of students, from students who are not from the United States. Students who have done their research outside of the United States may feel intimidated or uncomfortable discussing such issues, but their ideas should be respected. In order to protect the privacy of the individuals involved, some of the research mentioned in this article has been altered or edited for the sake of this article.The Census Reports: The Census reports contain statistics about racial groups that were enslaved during the era of slavery. African Americans are listed separately in most cities' indexes for the purposes of obtaining this information. In order to make them available to students, researchers must either visit the census offices themselves or obtain copies from libraries and government agencies th at maintain archives. Before taking the time to get the statistics, students should examine the documents carefully to ensure accuracy and to get an idea of what the information contains.The Slavery Statements: These are written statements made by former slaves who were interviewed after their release from bondage. The statements include details about their enslavement experiences, including the conditions they experienced and how they escaped. The writers of these statements also share their perspectives on racism and slavery. Many historians view the statements as important evidence about African American life in colonial America.The Slave Pensions: There are records from several plantations that detail the wages of slave laborers and plantation workers. Some of these records date back to the 1700s, while others cover much longer periods of time. Those that deal with plantation owners are often limited in their number of numbers and may not be available to many students. Because p lantation owners were responsible for paying their workers, they can provide some valuable information regarding conditions on plantations and in the fields.The Census of 1790: The Census was the first attempt to record the status of African Americans. Though only black men and women were included in the original count, the Federal Government soon added other racial groups. More than seventy years later, the census was extended to include Puerto Ricans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans. This was a substantial change for an already complex and controversial subject.Census Files: The main source of census information is the official U.S. census. As a result, researchers should not assume that all information in the census files is accurate. While all information in the files is publicly available, it is difficult to obtain specific information that would be helpful to students who are writing a research paper. However, it is possible to find 'census directories' that contain deta ils about particular census counts.Plantation Workers: In addition to the census files, plantation workers also provide useful information to researchers. Plantation workers often volunteered to participate in the census and many reports contain their stories. In addition, plantation owners often provided detailed reports to the Census Department. In addition to the main data that are publicly available, researchers should also consult with experts who specialize in plantation histories.Interviews: Interviews with plantation workers have proved to be a valuable source of information. Stories can provide insight into conditions that were prevalent on the plantations and in the fields. Another benefit of interviewing plantation workers is that these workers often express gratitude for the things that others give them. Therefore, interviewees may be able to provide important information about the lives of African Americans in colonial America.