Shared misfortune could unite mutually hostile African nations against their enslavers

Evidence

Since discord unfolds its negative, destructive character between particular individuals, we naively conclude that it must have the same effect on the total group. In reality, however, something which is negative and damaging between individuals if it is considered in isolation and as aiming in a particular direction, does not necessarily have the same effect within the total relationship of these individuals. For a very different picture emerges when we view the conflict in conjunction with other interactions not affected by it. The negative and dualistic elements play an entirely positive role in this more comprehensive picture, despite the destruction they may work on particular relations. All this is very obvious in the competition of individuals within an economic unit. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 280 (#exemplifies, via linked claim)

Some slaves collaborated in the master’s violence, driven by the fear of becoming its target or by the hope of channeling it elsewhere. Many other slaves simply avoided it and survived as best they could, following orders and trying desperately to work tiny plots of land to feed themselves and their families, crafting small spaces of comfort and community. Some, however, responded by sowing terror among their masters. — Dubois, Laurent, Avengers of the New World_ The Story of…, 183 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Enslaved people responded to violence through collaboration, avoidance, or counter-terror — Dubois, Laurent, Avengers of the New World_ The Story of…, 183; African anti-colonial resistance slowly integrated discrete societies into cohesive movements; Colonial violence against families forged Algerian national unity through shared suffering (+2 more)

Related

• Enslaved people responded to violence through collaboration, avoidance, or counter-terror (similarity 0.83)
• African anti-colonial resistance slowly integrated discrete societies into cohesive movements (similarity 0.82)
• Slaveholders committed far more atrocities than revolting slaves did (similarity 0.79)

Broader Connections

• Conflict destructive at one level can integrate the larger group #exemplifies (0.85) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 280
• Colonial violence against families forged Algerian national unity through shared suffering #exemplifies (0.60)
• Enslaved people responded to violence through collaboration, avoidance, or counter-terror #expands (0.55) — Dubois, Laurent, Avengers of the New World_ The Story of…, 183
• African anti-colonial resistance slowly integrated discrete societies into cohesive movements #corroborates (0.45)