The Southern Colonies: Plantations and Slavery Chapter 4, Section 2

The Southern Colonies

The Planter Class Owners of plantations were considered the elite of society. Held political and economic power.

Bacon’s Rebellion Nathaniel Bacon and a group of landless frontier settlers were upset with Virginia governor. Complained of high taxes and favoritism towards plantations owners. Bacon demanded that governor help defend the frontier settlements against aggressive Native Americans.

Bacon’s Rebellion cont… 1676, Bacon entered Jamestown and took control of the House of Burgesses, and burned Jamestown to the ground. Bacon died of sudden illness, and the rebellion came to an end. Governor Berkley hanged 23 of Bacon’s followers. King Charles II later passed laws against royal governors assuming such power and tyranny.

Jamestown: 1676- Bacon’s Rebellion By Howard Pyle

The Search for Cheap Labor Planters used Native Americas for labor, however many died of European diseases. To meet diverse labor needs, the planters turned to African Americans. By 1750, there were over 230,000 enslaves Africans in America. About 68% lived in the Southern Colonies.

The Search for Cheap Labor

Living in Slavery Slaves were organized in groups of 20-25 under the supervision of overseers. Slaves performed strenuous and exhausting work for over 15 hours a day. Lived in small one room shacks. Slaves were able to preserve beliefs and customs form their homelands. music, dances, stories, and African religions- including Islam.

A New Successful Crop Eliza Lucas introduced indigo as a successful plantation crop. Indigo- a plant that produces a deep blue dye used to dye clothes.

The Stono Rebellion September 1739, an uprising took place at the Stono River. 20 slaves wielding weapons , killed planters and marched to the beating of drums and chanting “Liberty!” They encouraged other slaves to join their pan in seeking freedom. A white militia later surrounded and apprehended the slaves.

Slave Codes Stono Rebellion and other uprising led planters to create slave codes. 1.) Slaves were forbidden from leaving plantations without owners consent. 2.) It was illegal to meet with free blacks. Made conditions of slavery even more inhumane.