Download Slaves and Slavery in North America

Slaves and Slavery in North America
The African Slave System
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Largest forced migration in history.
At least 12 million African slaves brought to Americas,
millions more died en route.
The Middle Passage – took four to eight weeks, one in
seven slaves died on the journey.
Sugar – dramatically changed and increased the African
slave trade.
The Southern Transition to Black
Labor
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Reasons for shift from white indentured servitude to
slavery:
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Rising commercial power of English meant that colonists could
purchase slaves more easily and cheaply.
Fewer indentured servants coming from England.
Planters sought a more permanent source of labor.
Slavery in the Northern Colonies
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Served as artisans and domestic servants.
Though fewer slaves in northern colonies the economy
still depended on the slave trade: merchant ships
transported human cargo, building slave ships, production
and sale of rum, New England fishing fleet sold to West
Indies.
Every North American colony participated in slave
business.
The Peculiar Institution
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The system of slavery in the Americas was much
different than slavery of earlier societies.
American slavery was a permanent, racially-based
caste legitimated by law.
Black Codes – slaves could not carry firearms, testify
in court, buy or sell anything, hold property,
participate in politics, congregate in groups, travel
without permission, legally marry or be parents.
Slave Life and Culture
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Chesapeake and Southern Colonies – Slaves cleared land,
planted, and harvested tobacco, cotton, rice, etc. Used
successful agricultural practices from Africa. Restricted by
black codes, but large plantations provided opportunity to
develop personal lives. In South Carolina, slaves outnumbered
whites 3 to 1 by 1760 and so could maintain more of their
African culture such as languages, religion, etc.
Northern Colonies – Slaves less than 10% of the population,
usually worked as artisans, farmhands, or personal servants.
Usually worked alone or with few other slaves. Lived in
master’s home and adopted European ways.
Resistance and Rebellion
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Forms of resistance and rebellion included: violence, running
away, dragging out jobs, pretending illness or ignorance,
breaking tools, arson, crop destruction, theft, etc.
The Stono Rebellion (1739)
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20 slaves met near the Stono River near Charleston, South Carolina.
Stole guns and ammunition, killed storekeepers and planters, and
liberated a number of slaves.
About 100 slaves then fled to Florida hoping Spanish colonists would
give them their freedom; the colonial militia caught up to them, killed
several, captured the rest. Those captured were returned and
executed.
Results: Stricter slave laws, increased fear of slave rebellions, a ‘witch
hunt’ in New York in which 31 blacks and four whites were executed
for conspiracy to liberate slaves.
Black Religion and Family
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Slaves struggled to find meaning and happiness in
their lives.
Mixed Christianity with African religions.
Families – Slaves forbidden to marry, but planters
knew that slaves with families were less likely to flee
or rebel.
Most slaves experienced family separation at least
once.
Sexual abuse of female slaves.
Men and women more equal in slave society than in
white society.