Antebellum Slavery in the Deep South Agriculture Cotton is King! Life on the plantation Resistance to Slavery

Southern Society (1850) “Slavocracy” [plantation owners] The “Plain Folk” [white yeoman farmers] 6,000,000 Black Freemen Black Slaves 3,200, ,000 Total US Population  23,000,000 [9,450,000 in the South = 40%]

Slavery in Numbers The majority of white southerners did not hold slaves. The majority of white southerners did not hold slaves. 1/3 of all white southern families were slaveholders 1/3 of all white southern families were slaveholders Planters: were large scale farmers that held more than 20 slaves on their plantation. Planters: were large scale farmers that held more than 20 slaves on their plantation. Most white southerners were yeoman or small farm owners. Most white southerners were yeoman or small farm owners. Worked long days at many different tasks Worked long days at many different tasks Yeoman worked alongside slaves in the field Yeoman worked alongside slaves in the field

Free Blacks By 1860 nearly 250,000 blacks were free blacks. By 1860 nearly 250,000 blacks were free blacks. Let free in master’s will Let free in master’s will Let free for acts of heroism Let free for acts of heroism Earned enough money to buy freedom Earned enough money to buy freedom Runaways Runaways The status of the mother is the status of the child. The status of the mother is the status of the child. Free blacks worked a variety of jobs in the city such as: skilled artisans, factory workers, nannies. Free blacks worked a variety of jobs in the city such as: skilled artisans, factory workers, nannies.

Distribution of Slaves, 1790 and 1860 Distribution of Slaves, 1790 and 1860

Distribution of Slaves, 1790 and 1860 (cont’d) Distribution of Slaves, 1790 and 1860 (cont’d)

The Internal Slave Trade, 1810– 1860 The Internal Slave Trade, 1810– 1860

Southern Population

Southern Agriculture Main Products: 1.Tobacco 2.Rice 3.Indigo 4.Cotton (cash crop)

Growth of Cotton Production and the Slave Population, 1790–1860 Growth of Cotton Production and the Slave Population, 1790–1860

Slaves Using the Cotton Gin Invented by: Eli Whitney Slaves Using the Cotton Gin Invented by: Eli Whitney The Cotton Gin made cotton picking more efficient. The Cotton Gin pulled fibers from the cotton apart from the seeds. This led to the Cotton Boom! Cotton was easy to grow and didn’t spoil. -Cotton Belt: stretches from Texas to South Carolina. Made the institution of slavery stronger.

Changes in Cotton Production

Slaves Picking Cotton on a Mississippi Plantation Mary EdwardsLavina Bell Overseers: made sure slaves followed the rules and carried out punishments Driver: usually a black slave put in charge of assisting overseer. **Gang Labor System- all field hands worked on the same task at the same time. (chain-gang)

Slaves Working in a Sugar-Boiling House, 1823

Slave Auction Notice, 1823 Jenny Proctor Slaves were treated as property, not as people!

The Culture of Slavery 1.Black Christianity [Baptists or Methodists]: * more emotional worship services. * negro spirituals. 2.Nuclear family with extended kin links, where possible. Family was the most important unit of slave communities. 3.Importance of music in their lives. [esp. spirituals]. Told folktales to keep heritage alive, which taught a lesson. 4.Jubas- a type of music using singing, hand-slapping and rhythm. Sometimes used as code across other plantations

A Slave Family

Lunsford Lane Lunsford Lane Lunsford Lane Lunsford Lane Lunsford Lane

Slaves posing in front of their cabin on a Southern plantation.

Tara – Plantation Reality or Myth? Hollywood’s Version?

A Real Georgia Plantation

The Southern “Belle”

Scarlet and Mammie (Hollywood Again!)

A Real Mammie & Her Charge

Slave Codes Defined the social, economic, and physical place of slaves Defined the social, economic, and physical place of slaves Used to tighten controls over slaves Used to tighten controls over slaves Slave codes prohibited certain actions by slaves: Slave codes prohibited certain actions by slaves: Showing disrespect to whites –could not strike Showing disrespect to whites –could not strike Trespassing on white’s property Trespassing on white’s property Running away Running away Gambling, setting fire to woods, hunting with a gun Gambling, setting fire to woods, hunting with a gun Slave marriages were not recognized under the slave code laws Slave marriages were not recognized under the slave code laws Punishments for disobedience include: Punishments for disobedience include: Whipping, Branding, Imprisonment, or even death Whipping, Branding, Imprisonment, or even death

Slavery Was Less Efficient in the U. S. than Elsewhere J High cost of keeping slaves from escaping. J GOAL  raise the “exit cost.” Slave patrols. Slaves caught would be punished severely. Strict Southern Slave Codes. Limited what slaves could do. No education! Cut off a toe or a foot to keep from running away. **Offered slaves rewards to encourage all slaves to obey!

Slave tag, SC Slave Accoutrements Slave leg irons Slave shoes

Slave Master Brands Slave Accoutrements Slave muzzle

Slave Resistance Refusal to work hard. Acting sick or hurt. Isolated acts of sabotage. Working slower to protest long hours. Escape via the Underground Railroad.

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 Rebellions in the Antebellum South 1822 Nat Turner believed God called on him to end slavery -ended up killing 60 whites

Slave Rebellions in the Antebellum South: Nat Turner, 1831

Runaway Slave Ads

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.