chapter 20 african americans at mid-century. north (free) vs. south (slave) slaves’ legal status...
TRANSCRIPT
CHAPTER 20
African Americans at Mid-Century
North (Free) vs. South (Slave)
Slaves’ legal status was the same as property. Slaves did not have the same rights as free people and could be bought and sold.
Rural slaves worked on farms and plantations in the South. Urban Slaves lived in cities and were hired out to factories, mills and workshops. Their wages were given to their owners.
Half of all free African Americans lived in the South. Free African Americans in the South were not allowed to work in certain jobs. Most worked as laborers, craftspeople, or household servants.
Free African Americans in the North held low paying jobs, were not allowed to vote, were denied entry in public schools and faced discrimination by whites. Despite discrimination, some formed churches, schools, and other organizations.
II. Economics of Slavery
A. Cotton1. Cotton Gin
a) Made cotton a cash cropb) 1790 – 3,000 bales 1850 – 4
million bales2. Supply & Demand
a) Price of cotton increased – slaves more valuable to owners
Working & Living Conditions of Slaves
Slaves worked on farms of various sizes. ¾ of all slaves were field hands. Others worked as seamstresses, carpenters, blacksmiths, cooks or servants. Work started at six years of age.
Slaves lived in crowded cabins and were provided enough to stay healthy for work.
Slaves were given clothing allowances for a year. These clothes were poor quality and when they wore out they had to go naked until the next allowance was given.
Slaves were poorly clothed and housed compared to white southerners, but were more likely to receive medical attention.
V. Controlling Slaves
A. Punishment1. beating, whipping, branding
a) Punishment often kept them from being able to work right away
b) Caused greater rebellion
B. Slave Breakers1. Used when slaves did not learn lesson
a) fear, violence and overwork
VI. Resistance to Slavery
A. Day-to-Day Resistance1. Quiet acts – pulled down fences, broke
tools, damaged crops, snuck food2. Avoidance – pretending to be sick, insane,
blind3. Deadly – fires, poison
B. Open Defiance1. Pushed too hard – refusal to work,
rejected orders, violence
VI. Resistance to Slavery
C. Running Away1. Risks
a) slave-catchers: mauled by dogs, whipped
2. Methodsa) Walked by night, hid by dayb) Boats, trains with fake IDsc) Mailed in boxes, coffins
3. Underground Railroada) Members provided transportation and safe
housesb) “conductors” risked lives helping slaves travel
the “freedom train” - Harriet Tubman
http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/undergroundrailroad/
VI. Resistance to Slavery
D. Rebellion1. Denmark Vesey - 1822 Charleston, SC
a) Authorities learned of plan to lead revoltb) Vesey and 30 slaves arrested and hanged
2. Nat Turner - 1831 Virginiaa) Turner and followers armed with axes and
guns set to kill every white person they could find
b) 2 days later – 57 people had been hacked to death
VII. Slave Families & Communities
A. Legal Issues1. Slave marriages not recognized therefore
slave families did not exista) Created own weddings – tradition of jumping
the broomstick2. Control of children rested with master
B. Lessons for Children 1. Silence around whites2. Obedience3. Respect themselves and members of
slave community
VIII. Leisure Time Activities
A. Quilting Bee1. Created much needed bedding for family
B. Quilting Feast & Dance1. After sewing was done2. Homemade instruments
C. Sundays1. Religion2. Recreation – eating, hunting, fishing,
dancing, singing, gambling
IX. Slave Churches
A. Slaveholder’s Church1. Slaves encouraged to attend2. Masters read Bible to workers
a) Preached obedience to both heavenly and earthly masters
B. Invisible Church1. Met in slave quarters2. Told stories of Moses leading people out of
slavery3. Sang spirituals expressing desire for
freedom
X. African American Culture
A. Songs & Spirituals1. Rhythms and harmonies of Africa but speak realities of
slavery
B. Slave Dances1. Escaped cares, expressed feelings, refreshed spirits
C. African Legends & Folktales1. Br’er Rabbit – rabbit always outwits the larger animal
(symbolic of slave-master relationship?)