11.2 Plantations and 11.2 Plantations and Slavery SpreadSlavery Spread

Goal: Learning TargetGoal: Learning Target

•Understand how the invention Understand how the invention of the Cotton Gin and the of the Cotton Gin and the demand for cotton caused demand for cotton caused Slavery to spread in the Slavery to spread in the South and what Conditions South and what Conditions that Slaves lived in.that Slaves lived in.

The Cotton BoomThe Cotton Boom• The Industrial Revolution increased the The Industrial Revolution increased the

demand for Raw Materials including Cottondemand for Raw Materials including Cotton• Cotton was hard to clean (remove the Cotton was hard to clean (remove the

seeds)seeds)• In 1793 Eli Whitney invented the Cotton Gin In 1793 Eli Whitney invented the Cotton Gin

(Engine)(Engine)– Before the Cotton Gin on average one worker Before the Cotton Gin on average one worker

could clean 1 pound of Cotton per daycould clean 1 pound of Cotton per day– After the Cotton Gin on average one worker After the Cotton Gin on average one worker

could clean 50 pounds of Cotton per day.could clean 50 pounds of Cotton per day.• This made it easy to meet the demand of This made it easy to meet the demand of

Textile Companies and also increased the Textile Companies and also increased the demand for Slaves demand for Slaves

Slavery ExpandsSlavery Expands• From 1790 to 1860 cotton production increased by From 1790 to 1860 cotton production increased by

more than a 1000 times because of the Cotton Ginmore than a 1000 times because of the Cotton Gin• It made a few slave holders rich and powerful It made a few slave holders rich and powerful

– Only one tenth of Southerners had large plantations Only one tenth of Southerners had large plantations with 20 or more slaveswith 20 or more slaves

– Between 1810 - 1840 the slave population doubledBetween 1810 - 1840 the slave population doubled•In 1808 importing Africans became illegal.In 1808 importing Africans became illegal.•Most of these Slaves were born in the United Most of these Slaves were born in the United

States.States.– While most Southern farmers owned few or no slaves While most Southern farmers owned few or no slaves

most supported slavery because they believed it most supported slavery because they believed it gave them their best chance for future wealth.gave them their best chance for future wealth.

African Americans in the African Americans in the South South • By 1840 Slaves made up 1/3 of the South’s population.By 1840 Slaves made up 1/3 of the South’s population.

• Most were on plantationsMost were on plantations– Others in cities and elsewhere included domestic Others in cities and elsewhere included domestic

servants, skilled craftsmen, factory hands, and day servants, skilled craftsmen, factory hands, and day laborers.laborers.

– No matter your condition if you were a slave you No matter your condition if you were a slave you were considered propertywere considered property

• 5% of Blacks in the South were free.5% of Blacks in the South were free.– No matter your condition in the South there were No matter your condition in the South there were

laws and rules against you.laws and rules against you.•If freed most were required to leave the state, you If freed most were required to leave the state, you

couldn’t vote, be educated and had a constant fear couldn’t vote, be educated and had a constant fear of being captured and being sold into slavery.of being captured and being sold into slavery.

Families Under SlaveryFamilies Under Slavery• Marriages were not recognizedMarriages were not recognized• Family members could be soldFamily members could be sold• Religion was a cornerstone of African Religion was a cornerstone of African

American culture in the southAmerican culture in the south• Sang spirituals about their desire for Sang spirituals about their desire for

freedom. Also had hidden messagesfreedom. Also had hidden messages• A common culture was created that A common culture was created that

helped African Americans bond together helped African Americans bond together under the cruel practice of slaveryunder the cruel practice of slavery

Slave rebellionsSlave rebellions• Some resisted violently, Some resisted violently,

– Gabriel Prosser planned attacks in Richmond Virginia in Gabriel Prosser planned attacks in Richmond Virginia in 18001800

– Denmark Vesey planned a revolt in Charleston in 1822Denmark Vesey planned a revolt in Charleston in 1822• Nat Turner and his 70 + followers killed about 55 Nat Turner and his 70 + followers killed about 55

whites in 1831whites in 1831– Whites killed more than 200 African Americans in Whites killed more than 200 African Americans in

revengerevenge– The state of Virginia considered ending slavery because The state of Virginia considered ending slavery because

of the upheaval, but the proposal was narrowly defeated.of the upheaval, but the proposal was narrowly defeated.• Some state legislatures passed harsh laws that Some state legislatures passed harsh laws that

limited the freedom of both free and enslaved limited the freedom of both free and enslaved African AmericansAfrican Americans

Resisting Slavery Resisting Slavery • RunawayRunaway

– Slaves like Steven Douglass escaped to the Slaves like Steven Douglass escaped to the North.North.

• Put messages in their songs (Spirituals)Put messages in their songs (Spirituals)• Work SlowlyWork Slowly• Damage tools or cropsDamage tools or crops• Pretend not to understandPretend not to understand