Chapter 10 Lesson 2 Life on the Plantation
The Slave South Most Southerners did not own large plantations. Of the 50,000 plantations in the South in 1860, only 2300 were owned by planters who held more than 100 slaves. Most Southern farmers owned small farms and did not hold slaves. Allowed owners of large plantations to run the government.
Slave-Owning Population (1850)
Slave-Owning Families (1850)
Tara – Plantation Reality or Myth? Hollywood’s Version?
A Real Georgia Plantation
Master of the Land Master of the Land The plantation was self-contained. The master was the head of the plantation. They took the law into their own hands and would “settle” disputes by duels. Some taught slaves Christianity-made slaves go to Sunday services but they sat in their own special sections. Hired white overseers to supervise work in the fields. Some used trusted slaves as drivers or supervisors to keep the pace up. The plantation mistress was only second to her husband in authority.
Life in the Big House A visible sign of the planters wealth. Two or three storied mansions. Fine furniture, paintings
Large Plantation in Louisiana
Let’s take a tour of a real Plantation index.shtml index.shtml html
The Slave Community Slave Life House slaves and drivers were set apart from the rest of the slave community. They had better food and clothing than field hands. -may be separated from family members or have to whip other slaves.
House slaves House slaves worked for people in there homes. House slaves were usually treated better than field slaves. House slaves would usually work as servants or do house work.They would get extra food, clothes, etc.
>> >> Field slaves would usually work outside in the fields.Fields weren’t treated as well as house slaves.They would do all the outside work.
What were conditions like on the plantations?
Life on a Cotton Plantation Solomon Northup was a free African American who was kidnapped and sold into slavery: “The workers are required to be in the cotton fields as soon as it is light in the morning. They are only given 10 or 15 minutes at noon to swallow some cold bacon. They are then not allowed to rest until it is too dark to see. When the moon is full, they often work until the middle of the night.”
Working day 5:30 – go straight to field. Work until 8.00am. Latecomers whipped 8:00 – Stop work for breakfast: boiled yam & okra seasoned with salt & pepper 8:30 - Continue work 12:00 pm – Rest & lunch: salted meat or pickled fish 2:00pm – Start work again 6:00pm – Return to huts Night time – During harvest, work in mill or boilings houses through night
What Slaves Ate and Wore The slaves main diet was 1 pound of meat, 1 pound of bread, and 1 pound of vegetables a day. Some slaves didn’t eat anything They were allowed to wear one pair of pants,a jacket with a beige shirt and a pair of shoes.Some slaves wore hats.
The Southern “Belle”
Slaves posing in front of their cabin on a Southern plantation.
The Culture of Slavery 1.Black Christianity [Baptists or Methodists]: * more emotional worship services. * negro spirituals. 2.“Pidgin” or Gullah languages. 3.Nuclear family with extended kin links, where possible. 4.Importance of music in their lives. [esp. spirituals].
Slave Culture Strengthened their sense of identity by carefully preserving the African cultures heritage. Couldn’t marry-performed adopted African culture ceremonies such as “jumping the broom,” when a couple is united in the eyes of the slave community. Gave support and helped them resist and struggle against their condition. Had two names: English and African name used among other slaves. During the Great Awakening and The Second Great Awakening, many became Christian.
Slave Culture Christianity-combination of African and American Protestantism. Used natural and herbal cures. Preserved African musical traditions. Slave work songs and spirituals combined African and American hymns. Ragtime, Jazz and Dixieland Folktales-like “Brer Rabbit” (who out wits his enemy) stood for the dream of beating slavery.
Learning to Survive To deal with the horror of family members being sold, everyone took part in caring for children. All the slaves acted as mothers or fathers to the young.
Punishments Rebellions – rebels nailed to ground, fire applied starting at the feet and moving upwards Running away – neck ring or iron muzzle Continued running away – removal of hand or foot Flogging – one lash for each year of slave’s life How old do you think this slave was? Average life expectancy was 26. Why do you think it was so low?
How Slaves Were Treated Slaves were beaten, bound in chains, or starved for even doing small things such as talking back or working slowly. Runaways were caught received beatings so severe that many died.
Resistance to Slavery 1. Passive Resistance *Slave songs-express longing to be free and spread news of secret meetings. *Pretended to be sick *Broke tools *Worked as slow as possible *Ran away-knew they would get caught but temporarily deprived the owner of labor. *Ran away to be with family members.
“Steal away, steal away, Steal away to Jesus. Steal away, steal away home.”
Revolts Most slaves did not revolt and planters claimed they ruled their slaves generously. Slaveholders were a minority but convinced millions of white Southerners to support slavery.
Slave Resistance 1.“SAMBO” pattern of behavior used as a charade in front of whites [the innocent, laughing black man caricature – bulging eyes, thick lips, big smile, etc.].
Slave Resistance 2.Refusal to work hard. 3.Isolated acts of sabotage. 4.Escape via the Underground Railroad.
Slave Rebellions Throughout the Americas
Quilt Patterns as Secret Messages The Monkey Wrench pattern, on the left, alerted escapees to gather up tools and prepare to flee; the Drunkard Path design, on the right, warned escapees not to follow a straight route.
Slave Rebellions Knowledge of plants might tempt a house slave to poison the master’s food-caused widespread fear. Most feared-organized violent rebellion by a number of slaves. Three main slave rebellions.
Gabriel Prosser-a black preacher and blacksmith had been freed and was plotting a general slave uprising. (in Virginia in 1800) He was betrayed by a slave and he was hanged with 35 others.
Denmark Vesey 1822-a Denmark Vesey, a free black carpenter in Charleston, South Carolina planted to lead a rebellion in July of 14-the anniversary of the French Revolution. He was betrayed by a slave and executed with 35 other black men and 37 more were deported from the city.
Slave Rebellions in the Antebellum South 1822 Gabriel Prosser 1800
Nat Turner 1831, Southampton, Virginia A slave preacher led 70 black men in an uprising. Before the 3 day revolt was put down, 57 white people were killed. Put white southerners in a panic. It was several weeks before Turner was caught, tried, and executed.
A Slave Family
Slave Rebellions in the Antebellum South: Nat Turner, 1831
The Ledger of John White J Matilda Selby, 9, $ sold to Mr. Covington, St. Louis, $ J Brooks Selby, 19, $ Left at Home – Crazy J Fred McAfee, 22, $ Sold to Pepidal, Donaldsonville, $ J Howard Barnett, 25, $ Ranaway. Sold out of jail, $ J Harriett Barnett, 17, $ Sold to Davenport and Jones, Lafourche, $900.00
How They Became Slaves Slaves were brought in chains from ships. They were sold to many plantation owners. More than 1000 slaves were auctioned.
How were slaves prepared for auction? Washed with water Rubbed with oil Gunpowder, hot tar or rust rubbed into wounds Teeth inspected Brutal remedies, e.g. for diarrhoea Two methods of sale – auction & scramble What does this C19th poster tell us about the way slaves were treated by plantation owners?
What sort of lives did they lead? Branded on face, chest or back 3-4 year-olds work in ‘trash gangs’ (weeding) 9-12 year-olds work in fields with adults Elderly worked as domestic servants No legal rights – forbidden to read, write, marry own property Flogging & other punishments How would you feel if you were branded with one of these irons?
Slave Auction Notice, 1823
Marriage & Children >Slave owners encouraged there slaves to get married. >Slave owners also encouraged there slave owners to have babies because the death rate was high and babies was a way they can replace there deaths. Slave owners promise there slaves freedom id they 4 or 5 children. >Slave owners also encouraged there slave owners to have babies because the death rate was high and babies was a way they can replace there deaths. Slave owners promise there slaves freedom id they 4 or 5 children.
Slave Auction: Charleston, SC-1856
Slave Master Brands Slave Accoutrements Slave muzzle
Anti-Slave Pamphlet
Slave tag, SC Slave Accoutrements Slave leg irons Slave shoes
Primary Source:Harriet Jacobs “ I saw mother lead 7 Children to the auction block. She knew that some of them would be taken away from her; but they took all. The children were sold to a slave trader. She begged the trader to tell her where he intended to take them, but he didn’t. She wrung her hands in anguish and exclaimed “ Gone! All gone! Why don’t God kill me? “ I had no words where with to comfort her. Instances of this kind are of daily, yea, of hourly occurrence.”
US Laws Regarding Slavery 1.U. S. Constitution: * 3/5s compromise [I.2] * fugitive slave clause [IV.2] Fugitive Slave Act stronger Fugitive Slave Act.
Southern Slavery--> An Aberration? J 1780s: 1 st antislavery society created in Phila. J By 1804: slavery eliminated from last northern state. J 1807: the legal termination of the slave trade, enforced by the Royal Navy. J 1820s: newly indep. Republics of Central & So. America declared their slaves free. J 1833: slavery abolished throughout the British Empire. J 1844: slavery abolished in the Fr. colonies. J 1861: the serfs of Russia were emancipated.
Slavery Was Less Efficient in the U. S. than Elsewhere J High cost of keeping slaves from escaping. J GOAL raise the “exit cost.” u Slave patrols. u Southern Black Codes. u Cut off a toe or a foot.
Runaway Slave Ads