Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
1
Colonial North America & Rising Expectations
Chapters 3 & 4 Colonial North America & Rising Expectations
2
This eighteenth-century woodcut shows enslaved black men, women, and children engaged in the steps involved in the curing of tobacco. Courtesy of the Library of Congress This eighteenth-century woodcut shows enslaved black men, women, and children engaged in the steps involved in the curing of tobacco
3
The slavery codes regulated slaves and asserted the rights of slave owners.
4
The Peoples of North America
African immigrants gave birth to African- American people Preserved African cultural history African Americans shaped new way of life These African Americans were forever separated from their ancestral homeland, but they preserved a large core of their African cultural heritage. Their contact with Europeans and American Indians helped African Americans shape a way of life within the circumstances that slavery forced on them. To understand the early history of African Americans, we must first briefly discuss the other peoples of colonial North America. The Peoples of North America
5
By fourteenth century diverse American Indian cultures
American Indian, African relationship complicated American Indians lived harmoniously with nature, influenced Africans Indians sometimes slaveholders Africans helped defend against Indian attacks Africans, Indians similarly oppressed in American colonies American Indians
6
Escaping slaves in the Carolinas
Escaping slaves in the Carolinas during the early eighteenth century sometimes found shelter with the Tuscaroras and other Indian tribes. This map, drawn during a colonial expedition against the Tuscaroras in 1713, shows a Tuscarora fort that escaped slaves probably helped design and build. Escaping slaves in the Carolinas
7
The Spanish Empire Spanish colonial economy enslaved Indians, Africans
African, Indian, Spanish customs intermingled in U.S. (FL, TX, AZ, NM & CA), Mexico Africans had been in the area since 1526, when Luis Vasquez de Ayllon brought 100 slaves to Hispanola Why did Africans, Spanish and Indians intermingle? Why not in the British colonies There were few Spaniards in the colonies so some of the Africans and Indians who survived were able to gain freedom and become tradesmen, small landholders, and military men. There were often mixed race and identified with their former masters rather than with the oppressed people The Spanish Empire
8
The British and Jamestown
Jamestown first permanent British colony in North America Located in Chesapeake region, called Virginia No gold, climate unsuitable for crops Tobacco became mainstay of Virginia White laborers produced most tobacco in Chesapeake colonies The idea was to send England’s undesirables to America, where they could provide the cheap labor tobacco planters needed. Consequently, until 1700, white labor produced most of the tobacco in the Chesapeake colonies. The British and Jamestown
9
Africans Arrive in the Chesapeake
1619, 32 people of African descent at Jamestown Dutch bring 20 Angolans to Jamestown New arrivals regarded as unfree not slaves England had no slave laws Some Angolans Christian, Christians could not be enslaved First black person born in English America Parents baptized in Church of England Born free Africans remained small minority in expanding Virginia colony The Angolans became servants to the Jamestown officials and to some planters. Two reasons why their were unfree, not slaves. Unlike the Portuguese and Spanish, the English had no law for slavery. 2. At least the Angolans, who bore such names as Pedro, Isabella, Antoney and Angelo, hade been converted by the Portuguese to Xnity. According to English custom and morality in 1619, Xns could not be enslaved. Once they had worked off their purchase price, they could regain their freedom. In 1623, Antoney and Isabella married and had William who was born free Africans Arrive in the Chesapeake
10
Black Servitude in the Chesapeake
Demand for tobacco expanded, indentured servitude grew Blacks, whites sold freedom for set time Could expect to live as free people Free black men became landowners British assumed Africans were alien British make slaves property of masters Chattel Slavery A form of slavery in which the enslaved are treated legally as property For about 50 years (1620s to 1670s), blacks, whites and Indians work (tobacco fields), live and sleep together. They were indentured servants, which had existed for centuries. Free Black men owned land, farmed, lent money, sued in the courts, served as jurors and officials. And sometimes they got to vote. Now, the elite always treated Africans different, but this ideas was not universal among the white poor. Now, masters tried to get as much work out of indentured servants as possible and many of them died before their regaining their freedom.
11
Race and the Origins of Black Slavery
Economic, demographic developments led to enslavement of Africans Precedent set for enslaving Africans Less poor white laborers available African slaves become less costly British assumed Africans were inferior Status of black servants different than whites Black servants would serve masters for life By the 1640s, black people could not bear arms, and Anglican priests believed that Africans and their descendants could not become Xns.
12
The Emergence of Chattel Slavery
Children of black female servants, slaves for life Counter to English law, where status derives from father Enslaved Africans, African Americans had status of domestic animals Masters who killed slaves exempted from felony charges Slaves held accountable for transgressions System compelled black people to involuntary servitude Slave codes Colonial and state laws that defined the status of slaves and the prerogatives of masters Servitude became the natural condition of black people Slaves could not testify against white people in courts, own property, leave their master’s estate without a pass, congregate in groups larger than three or four, enter into contracts or marry. Currently, we have several Bay Area cities that have gang ordinances. Where there are curfews and/or congregates on corners is not allowed. Do you see why this can be an issue for African Americans.
13
The City of Chicago vs. Morales
Morales, the case that thrust the nation's war on gangs before the Court, was an attack on the Chicago Gang Congregation Ordinance, under which police issued more than 89,000 dispersal orders and made more than 42,000 arrests in three years. The ordinance allowed police to arrest any group of two or more people who remained in a public place "with no apparent purpose" if the police "reasonably believe[d]" the group included a gang member and if the loiterers failed to disperse. excerpted from: Kim Strosnider, Anti-Gang Ordinances after City of Chicago V. Morales: the Intersection of Race, Vagueness Doctrine, and Equal Protection in the Criminal Law , 39 American Criminal Law Review , (Winter, 2002) The City of Chicago vs. Morales
14
Bacon’s Rebellion and American Slavery
Black slaves, white indentured servants unite against elite Bacon dies before rebellion can occur Elite realize danger of freed, white indentured servants Planters switch to enslaved black labor force Whites prosperity rested on denying blacks freedom Master class Slaveholders Planters hoped to avoid class conflict (among rich and poor Whites) ensure their prosperity by denying freedom to Blacks.
15
AFRICANS BROUGHT AS SLAVES TO BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, 1701–1775
FIGURE 3–1 AFRICANS BROUGHT AS SLAVES TO BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, 1701–1775 The rise in the number of captive Africans shipped to British North America during the early eighteenth century reflects the increasing dependence of British planters on African slave labor. The declines in slave imports during the periods 1751 to 1760 and 1771 to 1775 resulted from disruptions to commerce associated with the French and Indian War (or Seven Years’ War) and the struggle between the colonies and Great Britain that preceded the American War for Independence. Source: From The American Colonies: From Settement of Independence, by R. C. Simmons (© R. C. Simmons, 1976) is reproduced by permission of PFD ( on behalf of R. C. Simmons. AFRICANS BROUGHT AS SLAVES TO BRITISH NORTH AMERICA, 1701–1775
16
Slave Life in Early America
Eighteenth-century slave housing was minimal, often temporary Furniture, cooking utensils varied from place to place In early years, cloth came from England Later, homespun fabric was made by slaves Clothing evolved to style of West African culture Food staple corn, yams, salt pork Rice important in South Carolina low country
17
Miscegenation and Creolization
Interracial sexual contacts between blacks, whites, Indians White assemblies feared creation of mixed-race class Creolization led African parents to produce African-American children Miscegenation, creolization together caused physical, cultural change Miscegenation and Creolization
18
Examples of hairstyles from precolonial days
19
African influence on African American Hairstyles
20
The Origins of African-American Culture
Retained West African heritage Extended families as reaction to slavery Families helped others adapt, sheltered escapees Families influenced African American naming practices African religions persisted in America Even when converted to Christianity indigenous practices remained Africans names male children after close relatives. This custom survived in America because boys were more likely to be separated from their parens by being sold than girls were. By the 1700s many African to use surnames they clung to the name of their original master. The Origins of African-American Culture
21
The Origins of African-American Culture (cont'd)
Incest taboos Customary rules against sexual relations and marriage within family and kinship groups Spirit possession A belief rooted in West African religions that spirits may possess human souls Divination A form of magic aimed at telling the future by interpreting a variety of signs Even now, in many Black churches, one can feel the Holy Spirit and begin to dance. The Origins of African-American Culture (cont'd)
22
This eighteenth-century painting of slaves on a South Carolina plantation provides graphic proof of the continuities between West African culture and the emerging culture of African Americans. The religious dance, the drum and banjo, and elements of the participants’ clothing are all West African in origin. Abby Aldrich, Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, VA. This eighteenth-century painting of slaves on a South Carolina plantation
23
The Great Awakening Evangelical ministers preach spiritual equality
Africans Africans link spiritual equality to earthly equality General African conversion Africans influence church services Development of distinct African-American church Blacks segregated in white churches Masters used church to teach obedience African-American Christianity blended West African, European elements The Black church reinforced black people’s collective identity and helped them persevere in slavery
24
Example of African Culture in Religion
a/video_player/2009/98/2009+grand+fin ale+performances Example of African Culture in Religion
25
Language, Music, and Folk Literature
Black English came from ancestral African language Music most important aspect of African culture American popular music influenced by African- American music West African folk literature survived in North America Language, Music, and Folk Literature
26
Language, Music, and Folk Literature(cont'd)
Pidgens Simplified mixtures of two or more languages used to communicate between people who speak different languages Black English (or African-American Vernacular English) A variety of American English that is influenced by West African grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation The Gullah language from the sea islands of SC and GA are still spoken today. Obviously, the music still around and has an American twist. Language, Music, and Folk Literature(cont'd)
27
http://www.kno witall.org/gullaht ales/activity/flas h.html
Here are a few Gullah words with African origins. The language or country of origin is listed in parentheses whenever possible: [Taken from "The Water Brought Us," by Muriel Miller Branch] A'min - Amen (Wolof) be - to cultivate, to clean, to remove debris (Temme) bid', bidi - small bird, small chicken (Kongo) buckra - white man (Ibidio) de - to be (Igbo) eh - yes (Igbo) hudu - to cause bad luck to someone (Via) kuta - tortoise, turtle (Mende) nanse - spider (Temme) nana - elderly woman, grandmother (Twi) tata - father (Kongo) tote - to pick up (Kongo) uni - you, your (Ibo) yam - sweet potato (Mende) The Gullah Language
28
The African-American Impact on Colonial Culture
West African culture shaped work in American South African styles influenced southern colonial architecture Slaves worked harder in groups African-American imprint on southern diction Black women raised white children White children acquired African-American speech patterns Blacks influenced white notions of remedies, cooking Since Blacks cooked their food, southern White still eat and cook the way African slaves did on plantations.
29
The African-American Impact on Colonial Culture (cont'd)
Gang system A mode of organizing labor that had West African antecedents. In this system American slaves worked in groups under the direction of a slave driver The African-American Impact on Colonial Culture (cont'd)
30
FIGURE 3–2 AFRICANS AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE TOTAL POPULATION OF THE BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES 1650–1770 Time on the Cross: The Economics of Negro Slavery by Robert W. Fogel and Stanley L. Engerman. Copyright © Reprinted by permission of W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. AFRICANS AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE TOTAL POPULATION OF THE BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES 1650–1770
31
Slavery in the Northern Colonies
Slavery less extensive in north than south Small numbers, close to masters, isolation Northern slaves had fewer opportunities to preserve African heritage In Middle colonies curfews kept slaves isolated In New England Puritanical beliefs, few slaves Puritans converted Africans Slaves could inherit, own property
32
This eighteenth-century drawing of Philadelphia’s London Coffee House
This eighteenth-century drawing of Philadelphia’s London Coffee House suggests the routine nature of slave auctions in early America. The main focus is on architecture. The sale of human beings is merely incidental. John F. Watson, “Annals of Philadelphia,” being a collection of memoirs, anecdotes, and incidents of Philadelphia. The London Coffee House. The Library Company of Philadelphia. This eighteenth-century drawing of Philadelphia’s London Coffee House
33
Slavery in Spanish Florida and French Louisiana
Numbers small, needed as soldiers more than fieldworkers British takeover casued slaves to grow Louisiana imported about 6,000 slaves Blacks outnumbered whites Slaves became artians, gained freedom Sexual exploitation of black women created mixed- race Mentions the Picous Slavery in Spanish Florida and French Louisiana
34
African Americans in New Spain’s Northern Borderlands
Fewer black people than British colonies Some slaves, some with limited freedom Worked as domestics, laborers or in Meixcan mines Racial Purity Spanish top; Blacks, Indians bottom Most Spainards mixed race Blacks, Indians had more status African Americans in New Spain’s Northern Borderlands
35
This detail of a mural located in the Arizona capitol building shows, on its extreme right, the former slave Esteban, who wears a blue turban. During the early 1500s, shipwrecked Esteban traveled through Texas to Mexico. Later he joined Spanish expeditions that explored what are now New Mexico and Arizona. This detail of a mural located in the Arizona capitol building shows, on its extreme right, the former slave Esteban, who wears a blue turban.
36
Black Women in Colonial America
Black men valued higher than black women Worked in fields until giving birth Suffered complications giving birth Changed from fieldworkers to house servants Subjected to sexual exploitation Black Women in Colonial America
37
In this painting African Americans await sale to slave traders, who stand at the doorway on the left. In this painting African Americans await sale to slave traders, who stand at the doorway on the left.
38
Black Resistance and Rebellion
Slavery in America relied on physical force African Americans responded by resisting Some escaped, established maroon communities Rebellious slaves in Charleston, steal ammuntion, plunder plantations White southerners never lost fear of slave revolt Black Resistance and Rebellion
39
Conclusion History of blacks both painful and exhiliarating
Enslavement, racism, loss of African heritage Resistance, forged family, developed African- American culture Conclusion
40
Chapter 3 Questions: Choose One
Why did vestiges of African Culture survive in British North America? Or did the unfree condition of the first Africans to arrive at Jamestown lead to racial prejudice among the settlers? OR What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Black family in the eighteenth century? Chapter 3 Questions: Choose One
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com Inc.
All rights reserved.