Dan Carlin's Hardcore History: Show 68 - BLITZ Human Resources Release Date: March 7, 2022

Host/Author: Dan Carlin
Description: In "Hardcore History," Dan Carlin explores profound historical events with his unique, dramatic storytelling style. In "Show 68 - BLITZ Human Resources," Carlin delves into the complexities of the Atlantic slave trade, examining its logistical underpinnings, the societal beliefs that sustained it, and the eventual push towards abolition.

1. Introduction and Improvisational Approach

Timestamp: [00:03]

Dan Carlin begins by explaining the improvised nature of his podcast episodes. He emphasizes that each show is a spontaneous journey without a predefined script, allowing for a dynamic exploration of topics. This approach contributes to the distinctive and engaging style of "Hardcore History."

"These shows that we do are improvised...There’s no chance to go over the script later, double check things, decide if this works or that doesn't." ([00:03])

2. Understanding Slavery: Definitions and Gradients

Carlin introduces the concept of slavery on a "sliding scale," distinguishing between various forms from "wage slavery" to "chattel slavery." He highlights the complexity and persistence of slavery as an institution throughout human history.

"On one end you have things like, you know, wage slavery...Chattel slavery is the lowest of the low." ([Transcript Excerpts])

3. The Renaissance and Its Influence on Slavery

The Renaissance marked a "rebirth" of classical ideas, which Carlin argues played a pivotal role in justifying and perpetuating slavery. The revival of Greek and Roman philosophies provided intellectual backing for the institution, influencing contemporary and future societies.

"The rediscovery of classical civilization was the way my old history book used to, you know, label it." ([Transcript Excerpts])

4. Pioneering the Atlantic Slave Trade: The Portuguese Role

Carlin details how the Portuguese were trailblazers in establishing direct contact with sub-Saharan Africa, circumventing traditional barriers like the Sahara Desert and North African states. This direct interaction was crucial in scaling the Atlantic slave trade.

"The Portuguese start to realize that rather than steal your own men, that man stealing is another term that they used to use for slavery." ([Transcript Excerpts])

5. Economic Drivers: From Gold to Sugar

The fall of Constantinople in 1453 disrupted existing trade routes, creating a "supply squeeze" for slaves. Simultaneously, the invention of the cotton gin in the late 18th century exponentially increased the demand for slave labor in the Americas, particularly for lucrative cash crops like sugar and cotton.

"Silk is making it one way, money's making it the other. In other words, there are things like diseases, foods...and this belongs to economic systems." ([Transcript Excerpts])

6. Conditions of Enslaved Africans and the Middle Passage

Carlin provides harrowing accounts of the conditions faced by enslaved Africans during capture, transit, and labor. He references firsthand testimonies from individuals like Frederick Douglass, highlighting the extreme brutality and dehumanization inherent in the system.

"The closest you'll ever find to a literal version where you could use the term Pandora's box and have it apply." ([Transcript Excerpts])

"‘I have often been awakened at the dawn of day... It was a most terrible spectacle.’ - Frederick Douglass ([Transcript Excerpts])"

7. Slave Revolts and the Haitian Revolution

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the Haitian Revolution, a monumental slave uprising that underscored the unsustainable nature of slavery. Carlin discusses leaders like Toussaint L'Ouverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who played crucial roles in challenging and ultimately dismantling the slave system in Saint Domingue (modern-day Haiti).

"You're dealing with labor that doesn't want the job in the first place and isn't paid anything." ([Transcript Excerpts])

"In the fall of 1802, Christophe and Dessalines, two of Saint Domingue's generals, deserted the French... now carried profound implications for everybody." ([Transcript Excerpts])

8. Abolitionist Movement and Changing Public Opinion

Carlin explores the rise of the abolitionist movement, fueled by Enlightenment ideals and economic shifts. He highlights how petitions, public campaigns, and moral arguments against slavery gained momentum, leading to significant legislative changes in countries like Britain and the United States.

"Revolutionary era blacks, slave and free, hardly relinquished the legal fight to end the trade or the institution of slavery to whites." - Brenda E. Stevenson ([Transcript Excerpts])

"‘We cannot justifikasi... they have to…’" ([Transcript Excerpts])

9. Legacy and Continuing Impact

Carlin reflects on the enduring legacy of slavery and its deep-rooted impact on modern societies. He draws parallels between historical slavery and contemporary issues of systemic racism, exploitation, and economic disparity, emphasizing that the scars of the past continue to influence the present.

"We live in a strange time now, a time where slavery is universally reviled." ([Transcript Excerpts])

"These terms may be a little different, though, and the benefits more spread out." ([Transcript Excerpts])

10. Conclusion: The Complexity of Slavery's End

Carlin concludes by acknowledging the multifaceted nature of slavery's abolition. He underscores that the end of slavery was not a linear progression but involved revolutions, legal battles, economic transformations, and profound societal shifts. The Haitian Revolution serves as a testament to both the resilience and the agency of enslaved individuals in shaping their destinies.

"We have a lot of strands in play, right?...It's woven into the fabric of society, entrenched." ([Transcript Excerpts])

"Look at how much change towards our modern point of view would be a good way to put it that you see in what amounts to one long human lifespan here." ([Transcript Excerpts])

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

1. Dan Carlin on Improvisation:

   "These shows that we do are improvised...There’s no chance to go over the script later, double check things, decide if this works or that doesn't." ([00:03])

2. Robert C. Davis on History's Bias:

   "History is often as not our present politics projected onto the past." ([Dan Carlin, as referenced])

3. Frederick Douglass on Slavery's Brutality:

   "I was made to drink the bitterest dregs of slavery. That time was during the first six months of my stay with Mr. Covey...I was broken in body, soul and spirit." ([Transcript Excerpts])

4. Brenda E. Stevenson on Abolitionist Efforts:

   "Revolutionary era blacks, slave and free, hardly relinquished the legal fight to end the trade or the institution of slavery to whites." ([Transcript Excerpts])

5. James Walvin on Slave Ship Conditions:

   "Africans often spent longer on board a slave ship anchored off the coast of Africa than in crossing the Atlantic." ([Transcript Excerpts])

Final Thoughts

"BLITZ Human Resources" offers a comprehensive and unflinching examination of the Atlantic slave trade, its logistical complexities, and its profound human cost. Dan Carlin masterfully intertwines historical events, personal testimonies, and scholarly insights to paint a vivid picture of one of humanity's darkest chapters. The episode challenges listeners to confront uncomfortable truths and reflect on the enduring legacy of slavery in shaping modern society.

Note: For listeners interested in further exploration of military history, Dan Carlin promotes Battle Guide Virtual Tours, offering immersive experiences through historical battlefields with a blend of technology and firsthand accounts.