The Divided Society of the Old South Socially, people living within the realm of a slave-based economy were granted status according to class and caste. In the south in the first half of the 19th c, an elite group of whites dominated the society and made profits on the labor of Black slaves, who were able to nonetheless develop a culture of their own Read subtitle Play first few minutes of Gone with the Wind.

The World of Southern Blacks A. Slaves’ Daily Life and Labor 90% of the South’s 4 mill slaves worked on plantations or farms Typically worked in a “gang” system, overseen by a “driver” About ¾ worked as field hands Remaining slaves – cooking, cleaning, building, gardening

B. Slave Families, Kinship, and Community Most important institution-family Prevented slaves from becoming completely demoralized Provided slaves with a sense of community Generally monogamous and stable II. B

C. African-American Religion Evangelical Protestantism & African religion Themes of deliverance and freedom Religion facilitated Sense of community Solidarity Self-esteem

D. Resistance and Rebellion Sabotage Stealing provisions Story-telling Running Away Violence 1800-1831, slaves participated in revolts hoping to free themselves Typically uncommon throughout the South http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?ei=UTF-8&p=underground+railroad&b=3&oid=3143ede4e551a1db&rurl=lincoln.lib.niu.edu&vdone=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.yahoo.com%2Fvideo%2Fsearch%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26p%3Dunderground%2Brailroad

E. Free Blacks in the Old South Minority By the 1830s Subjected to rigid rules Rules: Limited movement Limited contact with other African-Americans