Slavery Photo Essay

Photo Essay Your assignment is to find 5 compelling images of slavery in America and to analyze each image. The images can be pictures, maps, diagrams, drawings, political cartoons, or anything else you can find. They can depict any aspect of slavery including abolitionists. Try to find a variety of image types and a variety of topics. Your analysis of each image should include a detailed description along with additional facts about slavery that relate to the image. Some sample images follow. Your assignment is to find 5 compelling images of slavery in America and to analyze each image. The images can be pictures, maps, diagrams, drawings, political cartoons, or anything else you can find. They can depict any aspect of slavery including abolitionists. Try to find a variety of image types and a variety of topics. Your analysis of each image should include a detailed description along with additional facts about slavery that relate to the image. Some sample images follow.

This photograph is of a slave who was severely beaten by an overseer. He is sitting with his bare back facing the camera showing a large number of deep scars running the length of his back. His face is not visible. The picture shows the brutality and inhumanity of slavery and contradicts the plantation owners claims of paternalism and cradle to grave care. Slaves were beaten for all kinds of offenses including working too slowly. Escaped slaves who were caught were beaten the worst and often mutilated.