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Enslaved Workers Contribution to the Architectural Heritage of Washington
The trans-Atlantic slave trade had more impact on African nations than any other trade has ever influenced. The strong men were taken away from their families under the influence of greedy leaders that sold them for mere pay, and the genius ones were brainwashed and taken to foreign nations. The first slaves to work in overseas lands came from Europe, and the master was not satisfied with their skills, so they sought other places they could find people to work for no pay. This was when their voyage left for Africa to find laborers. In this context, we will look at how different monuments and culturally diverse buildings came to place. Some of the buildings include the US capitol building, Wall street and trinity church, UNC chapel hill, Mount Vernon, and Washington University. Slaves provided cheap labor, and hence the master utilized them in various aspects, including masonry, carpentry, painting, and plastering.
The Presidents House
The presidents house on Pennsylvania Ave. started its construction in 1792, and it took the laborers eight years to complete the building. They got the workforce from free and enslaved African Americans who worked together with other white employees. The leading architect was an Irish immigrant named James Hoban, who the ruling president selected at the time. During the war of 1812, it was torched down by the British. Hoban was called to lead in the reconstruction and rebuilding. Over the years, it went through a series of renovations, including installing electrical lights with a complete gutting of the interior for security purposes.
With their cultural diversity, the slaves could inculcate their knowledge in different fields and build the states most prestigious building. The white house was built by slaves under several commissioners, while those that did not have any knowledge n construction worked in quarries that produced the stones used to build. During this period, slaves were treated harshly, especially during their transport from Africa, where the conditions were harsh and inhumane. These conditions forced some to jump off the ships into the oceans, while others preferred to starve and die of hunger than accept being treated inhumanly. Those who arrived had severe conditions like blindness, bowed legs, convulsions, and stinking due to long days without bathing.
The initial builders of the presidents house are not identified by name for different reasons, including that they were slaves, they did not volunteer, and there was little or no pay; hence their identities were concealed. Those who managed the construction process were the only ones in the light lime, giving the president and his subordinates progress. Additionally, many slaves were tortured during the construction, creating a bad reputation if seen working under such conditions.
US Capitol
Us Capitol started its construction in 1793 with a design created by Pierre Charles L Enfant, who still supervised its completion. After laying the foundation stone, he was dismissed, and James Hoban, the architect of the presidents house, was called to oversee the project. Slaves did not play a significant role in this project as they did at the presidents house as they were tasked with hauling building materials and sawing lumber. Philip Reid was a slave like the others, but he worked on freedom with his owner getting paid on his behalf. When the time came for the Statue of Freedom to be assembled, an Italian sculptor was hired but would not separate it unless added his pay rise. Reid figured out a way to use a pulley and tackle to pull the lifting ring to the top. With his model, the statue was separated and moved to the foundry.
The works of the slaves with all the designs and architectural heritage embedded in them never go a day unnoticed as it is impeccable and unique. Different slaves from diverse cultures taught their skills in duties, giving them a sense of belonging and unity. This has helped future generation understand their roots and their history. Due to their diversity, knowledge, and services, these works were shared, enabling them to develop mutual respect for one another leading to intermarriages with their European counterparts. Slaves were intended to abandon their culture and adopt the new one, but that did not work until recently, and Black Americans still practice their cultures. Some of these practices included practicing African medicine and poisoning the hated leaders to evade their wrath.
Reflection
Recently, the need to redefine cultural heritage to suit daily human activity has been fundamental due to its high value and uniqueness. Culture helps maintain the integrity of people and preserve the wealth transmitted from one generation to another. When the slaves were designing and making these buildings and monuments, they understood that they were not only to be used for a short-term cause but to be reused in future generations to serve their purpose. Due to technological advancements in this era, changes that need to be implemented, like extensions and reconstructions, are not supposed to take over the original form and structure. The slave laborers ensured that these structures would be adaptive to future changes without losing their originality.
Initially, the concept of cultural heritage across borders was not given deep thought not until recently. In national matters, these buildings and monuments have acted as tourist attraction sites drawing attention from different corners of the world. Due to this attraction, the country gains revenue that improves the economy gradually and creates better international connections with the outside world.
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