1. Origins and
Implications

2. Slavery
With the colonization of North America, came a very terrible tradition
People from Africa were brought over in great numbers to be sold and used
as property “slaves”
They were used for their labor in the fields and agriculture, primarily
Occurred both in British North America (the colonial days), and continued once
the United States gained independence
17th, 18th, 19th centuries
Degradation of the African and,
following, the African-American
race during this time period

3. Conditions
Very harsh, difficult labor with long hours, typically the men and young
boys worked in the fields, while the women and girls were servants in
households
Mistreatment and cruel punishments for dissatisfactory work or
behavior
Forbidden many things; however they were allowed to go to church and
play music
As it was one of their few enjoyments they put a lot of energy into
their music
Instruments were generally forbidden, so a strong focus on the voice
Network of secret routes and safe-houses used during 19th century to escape to free-states and Canada

4. The Negro Spiritual
The music, or songs, created during this time period came to be known as
Negro Spirituals
Combined African rhythms and harmonies with messages from the Bible,
or Christianity, that often expressed ideals of freedom
 oral tradition that told about the hardships of slavery while also
fostering or promoting hope
Secret/hidden messages?
 It has been suggested
that Negro Spirituals may have
contained messages of how
to escape slavery
“The Underground Railroad”
Over time, these songs became
the basis for blues, Gospel music
and jazz
**secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century enslaved people of African descent in the United States in efforts to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause.

5. Documentation of Negro Spirituals