Chapter Ninth Edition America: Past and Present America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Slaves and Masters 11
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Slave System King Cotton unstable Southern economy –Lack of diversification –Vulnerable to market fluctuations –Relies on slave labor (expensive) –Speculation and “land butchery” Little immigration remains Anglo-Saxon Protestant Value of slaves continues slave importation up to Civil War Internal slave trade/slave auctions provide most slaves Runaway slaves a growing concern
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands The South in the mid-1800’s is increasingly… Single Crop Plantation Economy (Cotton) Rural Segregated –black v. white –rich planters v. poor whites Oligarchic and Aristocratic Monopolistic Fearful of Northern interference & slave revolts
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands This handbill urging opponents of abolitionists to obstruct an anti-slavery meeting demonstrates the depth of pro-slavery feeling. Although the handbill advocates peaceful means, violence sometimes erupted between the two factions. An emotion-laden handbill was a factor in the well- known Boston riot of October 21, In that incident, a mob broke into the hall where the Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society was meeting, and threatened William Lloyd Garrison's life. "Outrage," February 2, 1837 Handbill
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Planter Aristocracy In 1850 only 1,733 families own 100 or more slaves; 4% of total white population in 1860 Planter “class” rules socially, politically, economically Admire feudal society – Sir Walter Scott Vast majority of white southerners work land with their slaves or have no slaves at all Growing gap between poor whites and planters White subsistence farmers support slavery b/c of racial superiority – contrary to economics “mountain whites” alienated from Planter class
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Colonel and Mrs. James A Whiteside, Son Charles and Servants by James A. Cameron This portrait captures the patriarchy as well as the graciousness that whites associated with the ideal plantation. The slave waiter, nurse and planter's wife all appear overshadowed by the master's presence. (Hunter Museum of Art, Chattanooga, TN, Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Thomas B. Whiteside) Colonel and Mrs. James A Whiteside, Son Charles and Servants by James A. Cameron Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Life of a Slave Slaves are increasingly valuable ($1800 by 1860) Slaves are increasingly sold “down the river” from soil-depleted areas. Auctions separate families. Slaves have no civil or political rights Victimized by owners and white society Beatings not uncommon Slaves manage to preserve family bonds, culture, and faith NOTE: Though increasingly rare, there were free blacks in the South. 250,000 by 1860.
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Torture Mask, woodcut, 1807 The laws of southern states had long stipulated that masters could use whatever means they deemed necessary to prevent slave runaways and insolence. In the early 1800s, some planters adopted this so-called restraining mask to punish slaves. (Library of Congress) Torture Mask, woodcut, 1807 Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Slaves’ Daily Life and Labor 90% of slaves lived on plantations or farms Most slaves on cotton plantations worked sun up to sun down, 6 days a week About 75% of slaves were field workers, about 5% worked in industry Urban slaves had more autonomy than rural slaves
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Nurse and charge Slavery did not prevent white children and their slave nurses from forming attachments to each other. (Valentine Museum, Cook Collection) Nurse and charge Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Slave Families, Kinship, and Community Normal family life difficult for slaves – Fathers cannot always protect children – Families vulnerable to breakup by masters Most reared in strong, two-parent families Extended families provide nurture, support amid horror of slavery Slave culture a family culture that provided a sense of community
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands African American Religion Black Christianity the cornerstone of an emerging African American culture Whites fear religion’s subversive potential, try to supervise churches and preaching Slave religion kept secret from whites – Reaffirmed the inherent joy of life – Preached the inevitable day of liberation
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Slave Rebellions and Uprisings, 1800–1831
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Slave Revolts Slaves resist through sabotage and slowdowns 1800: Gabriel leads revolt in Richmond 1822: Denmark Vessey leads rebellion in Charleston 1831: Nat Turner leads revolt in Virginia All Revolts are suppressed quickly and violently. ALSO, the Underground Railroad is a sign of resistance. Example: Marylander Harriet Tubman leads more than 300 to freedom.
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Resistance and Rebellion Work-related: – Work slowdowns – Sabotage – Poison masters Stories, songs asserting equality 1835–1842: 2 nd Seminole War –Slaves escaped and joined Seminoles Runaways often aided by the Underground Railroad
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Free Blacks in the Old South Southern free blacks severely restricted – Sense of solidarity with slaves – Generally unable to help Repression increased as time passed By 1860, some state legislatures were proposing laws to force free blacks to emigrate or be enslaved
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands A barber shop, Richmond, 1861 Free blacks dominated the barber's trade in Richmond on the eve of the Civil War. As meeting places for men, barber shops supplied newspapers and political discussion. Black barbers were politically informed and prosperous. As was the custom at the time, barbers also performed medical procedures like drawing blood. (Valentine Museum, Cook Collection) A barber shop, Richmond, 1861 Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Small Slaveholders Slave conditions worst with fewer than 20 slaves – Slaves share the master’s poverty – Slaves at the complete mercy of the master Masters often worked alongside the slaves Most slaves would have preferred the economic and cultural stability of the plantation
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Yeoman Farmers Small farmers resented large planters Some aspired to planter status Many saw slavery as guaranteeing their own liberty and independence Slavery viewed as a system for keeping blacks “in their place”
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Ye Southern Planter 1838, artist unknown Despite the popular image that antebellum planters lived lives of idle luxury in great mansions, most actually lived in modest homes and worked alongside their employees and slaves, as this 1838 painting by an anonymous artist shows. (Dr. Richard Saloom) Ye Southern Planter 1838, artist unknown Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands A Closed Mind and a Closed Society Planters feared growth of abolitionism Planters encouraged closing of ranks Slavery defended as a positive good – Africans depicted as inferior – Slavery defended with Bible – Slavery a humane asylum to improve Africans – Slavery superior to Northern wage labor Contrary points of view suppressed
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Slavery and the Southern Economy White Southerners perceived their economic interests to be tied to slavery Lower South: Slave plantation society Upper South: Farming and slave-trading region
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands The Internal Slave Trade Mixed farming in Virginia and Maryland Needed less labor, more capital Upper South sold slaves to lower South Virginia, Maryland, and Kentucky took on characteristics of industrializing North Sectional loyalty of upper South uncertain
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Slave sale in Easton, Maryland, mid 1800s
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Map: The Internal Slave Trade, Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Slave Concentration, 1820
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Slave Concentration, 1860
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands King Cotton 1793: Cotton Gin allows short-fiber cotton to be harvested – explosion of cotton production Ind. Rev. in NE and GB creates demand for cotton for textile mills South produces more than 50% of world’s cotton 1850: South produced 75% of world’s cotton, cotton the most important U.S. business
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands The Rise of the Cotton Kingdom “Short-staple” cotton drove cotton boom Cotton gin made seed extraction easy Year-round requirements suited to slave labor Cotton in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Map: Cotton Production in the South Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands ANIMATION AT: Eli Whitney’s Cotton Gin Short Staple Cotton Production Expansion of Slavery Economy
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Slaves ginning cotton The invention of the cotton gin and the spread of cotton agriculture throughout the American south created an enormous new demand for slave workers and changed the nature of their work. A handful of slaves could process large amounts of fiber using the revolutionary new machine, but it took armies of field workers to produce the raw cotton. (Library of Congress) Slaves ginning cotton Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands Slavery and Industrialization Southerners resented dependence on Northern industry, commerce Southerners project industrial schemes – Some proposed using free white labor – Others proposed the use of slaves Slaves worked in Southern factories High cotton profits discouraged shift to industry
Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. America: Past and Present, Ninth Edition Divine Breen Frederickson Williams Gross Brands The “Profitability” Issue Slavery not profitable for South as a whole White small farmers had lower living standards than most Northern farmers Profits from cotton not well-distributed Slave system resulted in waste of human resources, Southern underdevelopment