Slavery: A Life of Hardships

Objective The students should be able to explain what the African Americans life was like during Slavery. The students should be able to explain what the African Americans life was like during Slavery.

Slavery Slaves were given no luxury items. Slaves were given no luxury items. A luxury item for a slave could be a wish for a bed. A luxury item for a slave could be a wish for a bed.

Slavery Each year the slaves were given… Each year the slaves were given… Two linen shirts Two linen shirts Two pairs of trousers Two pairs of trousers One jacket One jacket A pair of socks A pair of socks A pair of shoes A pair of shoes An overcoat An overcoat A wool hat A wool hat

Slavery Each month a slave house would also receive… Each month a slave house would also receive… Cornmeal Cornmeal Salt herring Salt herring Eight pounds of pork or fish Eight pounds of pork or fish

Slavery Slave masters did not believe that a slave owned his or her life, but behind their backs the slaves lived their own lives. Slave masters did not believe that a slave owned his or her life, but behind their backs the slaves lived their own lives. Slaves made friends, fell in love, played, prayed, sang, told stories, did the sewing, cleaning the house, cooking, and tending to the small garden plots they were allowed to have. Slaves made friends, fell in love, played, prayed, sang, told stories, did the sewing, cleaning the house, cooking, and tending to the small garden plots they were allowed to have.

Slavery The two most important things to the slaves lives were their families and their religion. The two most important things to the slaves lives were their families and their religion.

Slave Families Many slave families faced the problem of stability. Many slave families faced the problem of stability. There was no state law that recognized the marriage among slaves, the masters rather than the parent had legal authority over slave children, and the possibility of sales. There was no state law that recognized the marriage among slaves, the masters rather than the parent had legal authority over slave children, and the possibility of sales.

Slave Religion The slaves stayed with their native religion. The slaves stayed with their native religion. Most slave owners did not convert their slaves to Christianity because they feared that the converted slaves would have to be freed. Most slave owners did not convert their slaves to Christianity because they feared that the converted slaves would have to be freed.

Slaves Houses Usually the houses were wooden shacks with dirt floors. Usually the houses were wooden shacks with dirt floors. Sometimes they were made of boards nailed up with cracks Sometimes they were made of boards nailed up with cracks stuffed with rags. A house would hold A house would hold up to a dozen slaves

Slaves beds The slaves beds were usually collected pieces of straw or grass and some old rags. The slaves beds were usually collected pieces of straw or grass and some old rags. Each slave would receive only one thin blanket. Each slave would receive only one thin blanket.

Slave Childhood 12 months old: A child's mother could be sold. 12 months old: A child's mother could be sold. 4 years old: Worked as a babysitter 4 years old: Worked as a babysitter 5 years old: Carried water to the slaves working on the field 5 years old: Carried water to the slaves working on the field 8 years old: Worked out on the fields. 8 years old: Worked out on the fields.

Punishments Punishments for a slave consist of… Punishments for a slave consist of… Slaves could be killed for murder, burglary, and assault on a white person. Slaves could be killed for murder, burglary, and assault on a white person. Some slave owners would put nails in a barrel sticking out on the inside then put the slave in it and roll him or her down a very steep hill. Some slave owners would put nails in a barrel sticking out on the inside then put the slave in it and roll him or her down a very steep hill.

Punishments Others would smoke their slaves: this involved whipping them and then sticking them in a tobacco smokehouse. Others would smoke their slaves: this involved whipping them and then sticking them in a tobacco smokehouse. Getting beaten with a chair, broom, tongs, shovel, shears, knife handles, the heavy end of a women's shoe, and a club was also a popular punishment. Getting beaten with a chair, broom, tongs, shovel, shears, knife handles, the heavy end of a women's shoe, and a club was also a popular punishment.