Slavery In America

Slavery So Far Northwest Ordinance: Settled the Northwest Territory but also banned slavery in new states north of the Ohio River. Missouri Compromise: settled the issue of the expansion of slavery in the Louisiana Territory; established the 36˚30 line as border of slavery.

King Cotton Britain came to rely heavily on Southern cotton The South was prime for growing cotton Large sections of flat land Long, lazy rivers to transport crops Humid climate Britain came to rely heavily on Southern cotton Large cotton boom lead to plantation economy Plantations: large farms owned by the ultra rich

Southern Society Slave owners were NOT a majority Made up less than 40% of white population in South Most non-slave owning whites hoped to become wealthy enough to become slave owners and get rich Southern city dwellers (with little or no land) Transported crops Sold farming tools

Discussion What were the goals of the early legislation about slavery? (What were they trying to do?) Why was the South a good place to grow cotton? Why is it a problem when such a small part of society controls so much of the economy?

Conditions of Slavery Many slaves were treated brutally by their owners Punishment was common for refusal or slow work Many families were split apart Motivation: Keep parents and children from helping each other escape Most slaves were prohibited from learning to read and write Owners did not want slaves to be able to organize

Effects of Conditions Slaves seek out comfort in religion Spirituals: religious folk songs; helped slaves communicate in secret Some slaves turned to violence Nat Turner’s Rebellion: slave revolt in Virginia Result: Failed but struck fear into white southerners Response: Slave codes: laws to keep slaves under control

Reflection Could the United States government have prevented the issues over slavery prior to this point? How?