Ch. 20: African Americans at Mid-Century

Introduction U.S. Population in 1850 – 23 million U.S. African American Population – 3.6 million Most African Americans were slaves living in the South, but about half a million were free blacks. Most free blacks were former slaves who had escaped to freedom.

Slaves’ Legal Status Under the law, slaves were viewed as property, not human beings. Slaveholders could do almost anything with their human property, including . . . - buy and sell slaves - leave slaves to their children and heirs - give slaves away to settle a bet But in many states, they could not set slaves free.

Slaves Waiting to be Sold

“In law, the slave has no wife, no children, no country, no home “In law, the slave has no wife, no children, no country, no home. He can own nothing, possess nothing, acquire nothing.” - Frederick Douglass

Rural (country) and Urban (city) Slaves Most slaves worked on farms and plantations across the South, under the watchful eyes of their owners. By 1860, there were also about 70,000 urban slaves living in towns and cities. These urban slaves were “hired out,” or sent to work in factories, mills, or workshops. Their wages went to their owners, but they were often allowed to “live out” on their own.

“A city slave is almost a freeman compared to a slave on a plantation - Frederick Douglass

Free Blacks in the South About half of all free African Americans lived in the South as laborers, craftspeople, or household servants. However, they were viewed as a dangerous group because they might create discontent among enslaved African Americans. This is why free blacks were forbidden to own guns, could not travel freely from town to town (or state to state), and were not allowed to work certain jobs.

“No colored man is really free in a slaveholding state.” - Frederick Douglass

Discrimination in the North African Americans in the North lived freer lives than those in the South, but they still experienced discrimination, or unequal treatment. In many states, African Americans were denied the right to vote and most held low-paying jobs because many white employers wouldn’t hire them.

Segregation in the North Blacks were also segregated (separated) from whites in nearly all public places. Black children often weren’t allowed into public schools. Those states that did educate African American children set up separate schools for that purpose.

African Americans Organize African Americans responded to discrimination by organizing to help themselves. They started their own churches, schools, and self-help organizations. In 1853, free blacks formed the National Council of Colored People to protest the unequal treatment they received.

The South (slave states)

Why did slavery exist in the South? Only wealthier planters could afford to buy slaves and the majority of white southerners did not own any slaves, so why was slavery supported so strongly in the South?

Answer: Cotton In 1793, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. It separated the cotton seeds from the cotton fibers, a process that had been very labor-intensive. This invention allowed cotton producers to produce more cotton for less money, making cotton hugely profitable.

However, cotton plantations depended on slave labor to grow their profitable crop. Therefore, most southerners saw slavery as a means of ensuring economic prosperity throughout the South.

The Cotton Kingdom However, cotton plantations depended on slave labor to grow their profitable crop. Therefore, most southerners saw slavery as a means of ensuring economic prosperity throughout the South.

Working Conditions for Slaves On small farms, owners and slaves worked side by side in the fields. On large plantations, planters hired overseers to supervise their slaves and to get the most work possible out of them.

About three quarters of rural slaves were field hands who toiled in the fields from dawn to dark tending crops.

Some slaves were skilled seamstresses, carpenters, or blacksmiths. Others worked in the master’s house as cooks or servants. Most slaves began work at the age of six and continued until they died. A Life of Slavery

Living Conditions for Slaves Slaves lived crowded together in rough cabins. Slaves seldom went hungry. They received rations of cornmeal, bacon, and molasses. Many kept gardens or hunted and fished. Slaves wore clothing made of coarse homespun linen called “Negro cloth.” They received medical care because a sick or dead slave was no good to a slaveowner.

Slaveholders used harsh punishments, such as beating, whipping, and branding, to maintain control. But slaveholders preferred to control their workforce by making slaves feel totally dependent on their masters, treating their slaves like grown-up children. Slaves who failed to obey their masters were sent to slavebreakers until they learned to be obedient. Controlling Slaves

Peter, a slave from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1863 Peter, a slave from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1863. The scars are a result of a whipping by his overseer, who was subsequently fired by the master. It took two months to recover from the beating.

Resistance to Slavery Slaves pretended to be dumb, clumsy, sick, or insane to escape work. Some slaves slipped poison into the master’s food or set fire to their owners’ homes and barns. When pushed too hard, slaves refused to work, rejected orders, or struck back violently.

Some slaves tried to escape by running away to freedom in the North. Slaveholders hired professional slave catchers and their packs of bloodhounds to hunt down runaway slaves. Recaptured slaves could be mauled by dogs, brutally whipped, or even killed. A few slaves mailed themselves to freedom in boxes or coffins.

Thousands of runaway slaves escaped to free states and to Canada with the help of the Underground Railroad, a secret network of free blacks and sympathetic whites. The members of the Underground Railroad provided transportation and “safe houses” where runaways could hide.

Harriet Tubman The guides along the Underground Railroad were called “conductors” and risked their lives to help escaping slaves travel the “freedom train.” One of the most successful conductors was Harriet Tubman, known as “Moses,” who was an escaped slave herself. Between 1850 and 1860, she guided more than 200 men, women, and children to freedom.

Harriet Tubman (far left) and slaves that she helped escape

Rebellion Slave revolts occurred in cities, on plantations, and even on ships at sea. Fear of slave uprisings, like Nat Turner’s rebellion (shown here), concerned many slaveholders.

In 1799, Denmark Vesey won $1,500 in a city lottery, allowing him to purchase his freedom for $600. In 1822, Denmark Vesey, now a free black, prepared to lead a sizable revolt of slaves in Charleston, South Carolina. He was betrayed by two fellow slaves who told the authorities of his plan. He was arrested along with more than 30 slaves. They were all hanged. Denmark Vesey

Nat Turner In 1831, a slave named Nat Turner led a bloody uprising in Virginia. Armed with axes and guns, Turner and his followers set out to kill every white person they could find. After two days, at least 57 people had been hacked to death. Turner avoided capture for two months until he was found hiding in a hole. He and 55 other blacks suspected of having been involved in the uprising were executed.

Slave Families and Communities Legally, slave families did not exist. No southern state recognized slave marriages and owners could break up slave families at any time by selling off family members. Being sold away from their families is what slaves generally feared most of all.

Lessons Learned Slave parents taught their children valuable lessons on survival. Children were taught: To be silent around whites. Obedience. Caring, kindness, pride, and hope. To respect themselves and other members of the slave community, especially older slaves.

“There is not to be found, among any people, a more rigid enforcement of the law of respect to elders.” - Frederick Douglass

Leisure Time Activities Slaves worked hard all week long but, on Saturday night and Sunday, their time was their own.

Saturday Night Slaves worked hard all week long but, on Saturday night and Sunday, there time was their own. Saturday nights were a time for social events, like corn-husking or pea-shelling parties, that combined work and fun. Quilting bees allowed slave women to work, talk, and express themselves together. When the sewing was done, men joined the party for dancing. Slaves made music out of almost anything.

Sundays Sunday was a day for religion and recreation. Slaves spent their Sundays going to church, eating, hunting, fishing, dancing, singing, gambling, telling tales, naming babies, playing games, drinking whiskey, and visiting with friends. All of these activities helped African Americans forget the sorrows of slavery. Sundays

Slave Churches Many slaveholders encouraged their slaves to attend church on Sunday. Some read the Bible to their workers and prayed with then. Owners and white ministers preached the same message: “If you disobey your earthly master, you offend your heavenly Master.” Dissatisfied with this message, slaves created their own “invisible church” that brought together African roots and American needs.

Rather than teach obedience, black preachers told the story of Moses leading his people out of slavery in Egypt. Slaves sang spirituals that expressed their desire for freedom and faith in a better world to come. Religion helped slaves bear their suffering and still find joy in life.

The invisible church met in slave quarters or secret forest clearings known as “hush arbors.”

African American Culture Africans arrived in the U.S. speaking many languages and following many cultural traditions, but they had to learn English and adopt a new way of life. Across the South, slaves combined their old traditions and new realities to create a distinctive African American culture. African American stories, music, song, and dance were all rooted in African traditions.