Slave Life

What was there Field work like? A regular working day in the fields for a slave was from sunrise to sunset. A regular working day in the fields for a slave was from sunrise to sunset. From a slaves point of view it was when you could see the big yellow thing until you couldn’t see it. From a slaves point of view it was when you could see the big yellow thing until you couldn’t see it. Slaves were treated so badly it was almost if they were farm animals, or old machinery. Slaves were treated so badly it was almost if they were farm animals, or old machinery.

Did Slaves get Education? Most slave’s masters did not allow them to read or write. Most slave’s masters did not allow them to read or write. Slaves tried all they could to learn. Slaves tried all they could to learn. Slaves would read anything they got into there hands on, hopeing they could learn from it. Slaves would read anything they got into there hands on, hopeing they could learn from it. Some times master’s wife’s and/or daughters taught some slave’s children how to read and write. Some times master’s wife’s and/or daughters taught some slave’s children how to read and write.

What were slave families like? Most families were separated when they arrived in America. Most families were separated when they arrived in America. When young slave girls became women they were taken away and forced t have children, women had children just to make more slaves for the master. When young slave girls became women they were taken away and forced t have children, women had children just to make more slaves for the master. Some of these girls were as young as 12. Some of these girls were as young as 12. The master would through a broom on the ground and two slaves would jump over it and he would pronounce them husband and wife. The master would through a broom on the ground and two slaves would jump over it and he would pronounce them husband and wife.

Did the slaves get days off? Field slaves got Sundays off, Household slaves did not. Field slaves got Sundays off, Household slaves did not. Some times feild slaves got certain holidays off. Some times feild slaves got certain holidays off.

What happened when slaves got caught runny away? They would get whipped, beaten. They would get whipped, beaten. Sometimes the masters would order part of there foot cut off. Sometimes the masters would order part of there foot cut off. Some were put to death. Some were put to death.

What did house slaves do? House slaves were trained form childhood. House slaves were trained form childhood. They would stay away from other slaves. They would stay away from other slaves. They would sleep on a palate next to the masters bedroom. They would sleep on a palate next to the masters bedroom. They were thought that being a house slave was the best thing in the world to happen to him/her. They were thought that being a house slave was the best thing in the world to happen to him/her. Certain slaves were given a key ring, on it had the keys to the pantry, the, smokehouse, the cooling cellar, and other food storage’s. Certain slaves were given a key ring, on it had the keys to the pantry, the, smokehouse, the cooling cellar, and other food storage’s. A house slaves life was easier than a field slaves, but they had to work longer hours A house slaves life was easier than a field slaves, but they had to work longer hours

What did slaves wear? Slaves would be given one pair of shoes and three items of underwear a year. Slaves would be given one pair of shoes and three items of underwear a year. Although these and other clothing would be provided by their owner, they were often ill- fitting and made of coarse material. Although these and other clothing would be provided by their owner, they were often ill- fitting and made of coarse material.

What did slaves eat? Sometimes they were given pots and pans for cooking, but more often they had to make their own. Sometimes they were given pots and pans for cooking, but more often they had to make their own. The long hours they had to work in the fields meant that they had little free time for making things to improve their living conditions. The long hours they had to work in the fields meant that they had little free time for making things to improve their living conditions. Some slaves used a hollowed out pumpkin shell called a calabash, to cook their food in. Some slaves used a hollowed out pumpkin shell called a calabash, to cook their food in.

Copyright First 7 Slides ©The Benjamin School, ©The Benjamin School, Last 2 slides © Historyonthenet All rights reserved Site created November 2000 © Historyonthenet All rights reserved Site created November 2000