Slavery the Peculiar Institution Slavery the System The Slave Experience Resistance

The Growth of Slavery Cotton gin makes cotton production profitable. New territory is being opened for slavery. Slavery is fundamental to the growth of cotton. Owning slaves seen as way to economic prosperity.

Eli Whitney and Slavery Inventor of the cotton gin It will make cotton production efficiently and cost effective which will drive the demand for slaves Whitney will also introduce a rifle with interchangeable parts which will aid in producing weapons quickly for the American Civil War

Anglo Justifications for Slavery Racial Blacks are seen as brutes and should be controlled Religious Bible scripture provides examples of slavery Scientific Blacks are inferior to whites Paternalism Blacks are being taken care of

The Plantation System Plantations were diverse economically and self sufficient. Slaves were organized into specialized gangs that performed specific duties. Productivity was tied to maintaining discipline.

Field Slaves Majority were field slaves and worked dawn to dusk. Some worked under the task system which required slaves to complete a specific job once done they were free to manage own affairs. Did skilled work like carpentry and ironsmithing and unskilled work like tending the crops. The women also had to care of their families by cooking, tending house and taking care of the children too! Masters hired out slaves to perform other duties and keep the slaves wages.

Slaves in the fields

House Slaves Household slaves cooked, cleaned, and nursed the master's children. Are constantly watched by their masters and mistresses. Had far less privacy than those who worked the fields. House slaves faced beatings, verbal abuse and sexual assault.

House Slaves