Chapter 10 Lesson 2Chapter 10 Lesson 2Life on the PlantationLife on the Plantation

The Slave SouthThe Slave South Most Southerners did not own large Most Southerners did not own large

plantations.plantations. Of the 50,000 plantations in the South in Of the 50,000 plantations in the South in

1860, only 2300 were owned by planters 1860, only 2300 were owned by planters who held more than 100 slaves.who held more than 100 slaves.

Most Southern farmers owned small farms Most Southern farmers owned small farms and did not hold slaves.and did not hold slaves.

Allowed owners of large plantations to run Allowed owners of large plantations to run the government.the government.

Slave-Owning Population Slave-Owning Population (1850)(1850)

Slave-Owning Families Slave-Owning Families (1850)(1850)

TaraTara – Plantation Reality – Plantation Reality or Myth?or Myth?

Hollywood’s Version?Hollywood’s Version?

A Real Georgia A Real Georgia PlantationPlantation

Master of the LandMaster of the Land The plantation was self-contained.The plantation was self-contained. The master was the head of the plantation.The master was the head of the plantation. They took the law into their own hands and would They took the law into their own hands and would

“settle” disputes by duels.“settle” disputes by duels. Some taught slaves Christianity-made slaves go Some taught slaves Christianity-made slaves go

to Sunday services but they sat in their own to Sunday services but they sat in their own special sections.special sections.

Hired white overseers to supervise work in the Hired white overseers to supervise work in the fields.fields.

Some used trusted slaves as drivers or Some used trusted slaves as drivers or supervisors to keep the pace up.supervisors to keep the pace up.

The plantation mistress was only second to her The plantation mistress was only second to her husband in authority.husband in authority.

Life in the Big HouseLife in the Big House A visible sign of the planters wealth.A visible sign of the planters wealth. Two or three storied mansions.Two or three storied mansions. Fine furniture, paintings Fine furniture, paintings

Large Plantation in LouisianaLarge Plantation in Louisiana

Let’s take a tour of a real PlantationLet’s take a tour of a real Plantation

http://www.lattaplantation.org/vtours/index.shtml

http://www.sherwoodforest.org/http://www.sherwoodforest.org/index.htmlindex.html

The Slave CommunityThe Slave Community

Slave LifeSlave Life

House slaves and drivers were set apart House slaves and drivers were set apart from the rest of the slave community.from the rest of the slave community.

They had better food and clothing than field They had better food and clothing than field hands.hands.

-may be separated from family members or -may be separated from family members or have to whip other slaves.have to whip other slaves.

House slavesHouse slaves

House slaves worked for people in there homes. House slaves worked for people in there homes. House slaves were usually treated better than House slaves were usually treated better than field slaves. House slaves would usually work as field slaves. House slaves would usually work as servants or do house work.They would get extra servants or do house work.They would get extra food, clothes, etc.food, clothes, etc.

<<<Field Slaves>>><<<Field Slaves>>> Field slaves would Field slaves would

usually work usually work outside in the outside in the fields.Fields fields.Fields weren’t treated as weren’t treated as well as house well as house slaves.They would slaves.They would do all the outside do all the outside work.work.

What were What were conditions like on conditions like on the the plantationsplantations??

Life on a Cotton PlantationLife on a Cotton Plantation Solomon Northup was a free African American Solomon Northup was a free African American

who was kidnapped and sold into slavery:who was kidnapped and sold into slavery:

““The workers are required to be in the cotton The workers are required to be in the cotton fields as soon as it is light in the morning. fields as soon as it is light in the morning. They are only given 10 or 15 minutes at noon They are only given 10 or 15 minutes at noon to swallow some cold bacon. They are then to swallow some cold bacon. They are then not allowed to rest until it is too dark to see. not allowed to rest until it is too dark to see. When the moon is full, they often work until When the moon is full, they often work until the middle of the night.”the middle of the night.”

Working dayWorking day 5:30 – go straight to field. Work until 8.00am. 5:30 – go straight to field. Work until 8.00am.

Latecomers whippedLatecomers whipped 8:00 – Stop work for breakfast: boiled 8:00 – Stop work for breakfast: boiled yamyam & &

okra okra seasoned with salt & pepperseasoned with salt & pepper 8:30 - Continue work8:30 - Continue work 12:00 pm – Rest & lunch: salted meat or 12:00 pm – Rest & lunch: salted meat or

pickled fishpickled fish 2:00pm – Start work again2:00pm – Start work again 6:00pm – Return to huts6:00pm – Return to huts Night time – During harvest, work in mill or Night time – During harvest, work in mill or

boilings houses through nightboilings houses through night

What Slaves Ate and WoreWhat Slaves Ate and Wore

The slaves main diet The slaves main diet was 1 pound of meat, was 1 pound of meat, 1 pound of bread, and 1 pound of bread, and 1 pound of vegetables 1 pound of vegetables a day.a day.

Some slaves didn’t eat Some slaves didn’t eat anythinganything

They were allowed to They were allowed to wear one pair of wear one pair of pants,a jacket with a pants,a jacket with a beige shirt and a pair beige shirt and a pair of shoes.Some slaves of shoes.Some slaves wore hats.wore hats.

The Southern “Belle”The Southern “Belle”

Slaves Slaves posing in posing in front of front of

their cabin their cabin on a on a

Southern Southern plantation.plantation.

The Culture of SlaveryThe Culture of Slavery1. Black Christianity [Baptists or

Methodists]: * more emotional worship services. * negro spirituals.

2. “Pidgin” or Gullah languages.3. Nuclear family with extended kin

links,where possible.

4. Importance of music in their lives. [esp. spirituals].

Slave CultureSlave Culture Strengthened their sense of identity by carefully Strengthened their sense of identity by carefully

preserving the African cultures heritage.preserving the African cultures heritage. Couldn’t marry-performed adopted African Couldn’t marry-performed adopted African

culture ceremonies such as “jumping the broom,” culture ceremonies such as “jumping the broom,” when a couple is united in the eyes of the slave when a couple is united in the eyes of the slave community.community.

Gave support and helped them resist and Gave support and helped them resist and struggle against their condition.struggle against their condition.

Had two names: English and African name used Had two names: English and African name used among other slaves.among other slaves.

During the Great Awakening and The Second During the Great Awakening and The Second Great Awakening, many became Christian.Great Awakening, many became Christian.

Slave CultureSlave Culture Christianity-combination of African and Christianity-combination of African and

American Protestantism.American Protestantism. Used natural and herbal cures.Used natural and herbal cures. Preserved African musical traditions.Preserved African musical traditions. Slave work songs and spirituals combined Slave work songs and spirituals combined

African and American hymns. Ragtime, African and American hymns. Ragtime, Jazz and DixielandJazz and Dixieland

Folktales-like “Brer Rabbit” (who out wits Folktales-like “Brer Rabbit” (who out wits his enemy) stood for the dream of beating his enemy) stood for the dream of beating slavery.slavery.

Learning to SurviveLearning to Survive

To deal with the To deal with the horror of family horror of family members being members being sold, everyone sold, everyone took part in caring took part in caring for children. for children.

All the slaves All the slaves acted as mothers acted as mothers or fathers to the or fathers to the young. young.

PunishmentsPunishments Rebellions – rebels Rebellions – rebels

nailed to ground, fire nailed to ground, fire applied starting at the applied starting at the feet and moving feet and moving upwardsupwards

Running away – neck Running away – neck ring or iron muzzlering or iron muzzle

Continued running Continued running away – removal of hand away – removal of hand or footor foot

Flogging – one lash for Flogging – one lash for each year of slave’s lifeeach year of slave’s life How old do you think this

slave was? Average life expectancy was 26. Why do you think it was so low?

How Slaves Were TreatedHow Slaves Were Treated Slaves were Slaves were

beaten, bound in beaten, bound in chains, or starved chains, or starved for even doing for even doing small things such small things such as talking back or as talking back or working slowly.working slowly.

Runaways were Runaways were caught received caught received beatings so severe beatings so severe that many died.that many died.

Resistance to SlaveryResistance to Slavery

1.1. Passive ResistancePassive Resistance*Slave songs-express longing to be free and *Slave songs-express longing to be free and

spread news of secret meetings.spread news of secret meetings.*Pretended to be sick*Pretended to be sick*Broke tools*Broke tools*Worked as slow as possible*Worked as slow as possible*Ran away-knew they would get caught but *Ran away-knew they would get caught but

temporarily deprived the owner of labor.temporarily deprived the owner of labor.*Ran away to be with family members.*Ran away to be with family members.

““Steal away, steal away,Steal away, steal away,Steal away to Jesus.Steal away to Jesus.Steal away, steal away home.”Steal away, steal away home.”

RevoltsRevolts Most slaves did not revolt and Most slaves did not revolt and

planters claimed they ruled their planters claimed they ruled their slaves generously.slaves generously.

Slaveholders were a minority but Slaveholders were a minority but convinced millions of white convinced millions of white Southerners to support slavery.Southerners to support slavery.

Slave ResistanceSlave Resistance1. “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 ResistanceSlave Resistance2. Refusal to work hard.3. Isolated acts of sabotage.4. Escape via the Underground

Railroad.

Slave Rebellions Throughout Slave Rebellions Throughout the Americasthe Americas

Quilt Patterns as Secret Quilt Patterns as Secret MessagesMessages

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.

Slave RebellionsSlave Rebellions Knowledge of plants might tempt a Knowledge of plants might tempt a

house slave to poison the master’s house slave to poison the master’s food-caused widespread fear.food-caused widespread fear.

Most feared-organized violent Most feared-organized violent rebellion by a number of slaves.rebellion by a number of slaves.

Three main slave rebellions.Three main slave rebellions.

Gabriel Prosser-a black preacher and Gabriel Prosser-a black preacher and blacksmith had been freed and was blacksmith had been freed and was plotting a general slave uprising. (in plotting a general slave uprising. (in Virginia in 1800)Virginia in 1800)

He was betrayed by a slave and he He was betrayed by a slave and he was hanged with 35 others.was hanged with 35 others.

Denmark VeseyDenmark Vesey 1822-a Denmark Vesey, a free black 1822-a Denmark Vesey, a free black

carpenter in Charleston, South carpenter in Charleston, South Carolina planted to lead a rebellion in Carolina planted to lead a rebellion in July of 14-the anniversary of the July of 14-the anniversary of the French Revolution.French Revolution.

He was betrayed by a slave and He was betrayed by a slave and executed with 35 other black men executed with 35 other black men and 37 more were deported from the and 37 more were deported from the city.city.

Slave Rebellions Slave Rebellions in the Antebellum Southin the Antebellum South

1822Gabriel Prosser

1800

Nat TurnerNat Turner 1831, Southampton, Virginia1831, Southampton, Virginia A slave preacher led 70 black men in A slave preacher led 70 black men in

an uprising.an uprising. Before the 3 day revolt was put Before the 3 day revolt was put

down, 57 white people were killed.down, 57 white people were killed. Put white southerners in a panic.Put white southerners in a panic. It was several weeks before Turner It was several weeks before Turner

was caught, tried, and executed.was caught, tried, and executed.

A Slave FamilyA Slave Family

Slave Rebellions in the Slave Rebellions in the Antebellum South:Antebellum South:

Nat Turner, Nat Turner, 18311831

The Ledger of John The Ledger of John WhiteWhite

Matilda Selby, 9, $400.00 sold to Mr. Covington, St. Louis, $425.00

Brooks Selby, 19, $750.00 Left at Home – Crazy

Fred McAfee, 22, $800.00 Sold to Pepidal,Donaldsonville, $1200.00

Howard Barnett, 25, $750.00 Ranaway. Sold out of jail, $540.00

Harriett Barnett, 17, $550.00 Sold to Davenport and Jones, Lafourche, $900.00

How They Became SlavesHow They Became Slaves Slaves were Slaves were

brought in chains brought in chains from ships.from ships.

They were sold to They were sold to many plantation many plantation owners.owners.

More than 1000 More than 1000 slaves were slaves were auctioned. auctioned.

How were slaves prepared for How were slaves prepared for auction?auction?

Washed with waterWashed with water Rubbed with oilRubbed with oil Gunpowder, hot tar Gunpowder, hot tar

or rust rubbed into or rust rubbed into woundswounds

Teeth inspectedTeeth inspected Brutal remedies, e.g. Brutal remedies, e.g.

for diarrhoeafor diarrhoea Two methods of sale Two methods of sale

– auction & scramble– auction & scrambleWhat does this C19th poster tell us about the way slaves were treated by plantation owners?

What sort of lives did they lead?What sort of lives did they lead? Branded on face, chest Branded on face, chest

or backor back 3-4 year-olds work in 3-4 year-olds work in

‘trash gangs’ (weeding)‘trash gangs’ (weeding) 9-12 year-olds work in 9-12 year-olds work in

fields with adultsfields with adults Elderly worked as Elderly worked as

domestic servantsdomestic servants No legal rights – No legal rights –

forbidden to read, forbidden to read, write, marry own write, marry own propertyproperty

Flogging & other Flogging & other punishmentspunishments

How would you feel if you were branded with one of these

irons?

Slave Auction Notice, Slave Auction Notice, 18231823

Marriage & ChildrenMarriage & Children>Slave owners >Slave owners

encouraged there encouraged there slaves to get married.slaves to get married.

>Slave owners also >Slave owners also encouraged there slave encouraged there slave owners to have babies owners to have babies because the death rate because the death rate was high and babies was high and babies was a way they can was a way they can replace there deaths. replace there deaths. Slave owners promise Slave owners promise there slaves freedom id there slaves freedom id they 4 or 5 children.they 4 or 5 children.

Slave Auction: Slave Auction: Charleston, Charleston, SC-1856SC-1856

Slave MasterBrands

Slave AccoutrementsSlave Accoutrements

Slave muzzle

Anti-Slave PamphletAnti-Slave Pamphlet

Slave tag, SC

Slave AccoutrementsSlave Accoutrements

Slave leg irons

Slave shoes

Primary Source:Harriet JacobsPrimary Source:Harriet Jacobs

“ “ I saw mother lead 7 I saw mother lead 7 Children to the auction block. Children to the auction block. She knew that some of them She knew that some of them would be taken away from would be taken away from her; but they took all. The her; but they took all. The children were sold to a slave children were sold to a slave trader. She begged the trader trader. She begged the trader to tell her where he intended to tell her where he intended to take them, but he didn’t. to take them, but he didn’t. She wrung her hands in She wrung her hands in anguish and exclaimed “ anguish and exclaimed “ Gone! All gone! Why don’t Gone! All gone! Why don’t God kill me? “ I had no words God kill me? “ I had no words where with to comfort her. where with to comfort her. Instances of this kind are of Instances of this kind are of daily, yea, of hourly daily, yea, of hourly occurrence.”occurrence.”

US Laws Regarding US Laws Regarding SlaverySlavery

1. U. S. Constitution: * 3/5s compromise [I.2] * fugitive slave clause [IV.2]

2. 1793 Fugitive Slave Act.

3. 1850 stronger Fugitive Slave Act.

Southern Slavery--> An Southern Slavery--> An Aberration?Aberration? 1780s: 1st antislavery society created in

Phila. By 1804: slavery eliminated from last

northern state. 1807: the legal termination of the slave

trade, enforced by the Royal Navy. 1820s: newly indep. Republics of Central

& So. America declared their slaves free.

1833: slavery abolished throughout the British Empire.

1844: slavery abolished in the Fr. colonies.

1861: the serfs of Russia were emancipated.

Slavery Was Less Slavery Was Less Efficient Efficient

in the U. S. than in the U. S. than ElsewhereElsewhere High cost of keeping slaves

fromescaping.

GOAL raise the “exit cost.”u Slave patrols.u Southern Black Codes.u Cut off a toe or a foot.

Runaway Slave AdsRunaway Slave Ads