 The majority of Southerners supported slavery, but some suggested that it was unconstitutional.  Supporters claimed that slavery was the only way to have enough workers on each plantation.  Supporters also claimed that they gave the slaves food, clothing, and a place to live.  Critics claimed that it hurt the economy.

 Being a slave driver was one of the worst jobs because he was picked from the group of slaves to help manage slaves.  The owner loved the driver, but the driver’s fellow slaves hated him.

 Slaves’ punishments consisted of whipping, being sold “down river” and being placed in the sweat box.  Whipping was the most common method of punishment around the colonies because it was the easiest way to punish.  When slaves were sold down river, this meant they were being sent away from their families and friends, which affected many slaves.  A sweat box is a box no taller than a normal man and no wider than a normal man. The slave was placed in the box and stuck out in the open of a sunny area or a cold and damp place.

 Slaves dealt with their hardships by talking to their family and friends, practicing their religion, telling folktales and jokes, and teaching the younger slaves their history.

 Nat Turner was a slave that lived in Virginia.  Nat Turner believed that his mission from God was to free the slaves.  Nat led a rebellion that killed his owner and 60 other men.  Virginia organized an army to hunt for Nat.  During their search, the army killed over 100 slaves.  Nat was found and later hanged.

 This was a system that Whites and African Americans helped slaves escape to Mexico, the North, and Canada.  During the day, slaves would stay at these safe houses, and at night slaves would travel to other safe houses until it was safe enough to go on their own.  Harriet Tubman was one of the main contributors of the Underground Railroad.  She made 19 trips to save other slaves and her parents.  She saved over 300 slaves.