11.2 Plantations and Slavery Spread

Goal: Learning Target Understand how the invention of the Cotton Gin and the demand for cotton caused Slavery to spread in the South and what Conditions that Slaves lived in. Understand how the invention of the Cotton Gin and the demand for cotton caused Slavery to spread in the South and what Conditions that Slaves lived in.

The Cotton Boom The Industrial Revolution increased the demand for Raw Materials including Cotton The Industrial Revolution increased the demand for Raw Materials including Cotton Cotton was hard to clean (remove the seeds) Cotton was hard to clean (remove the seeds) In 1793 Eli Whitney invented the Cotton Gin (Engine) In 1793 Eli Whitney invented the Cotton Gin (Engine) –Before the Cotton Gin on average one worker could clean 1 pound of Cotton per day –After the Cotton Gin on average one worker could clean 50 pounds of Cotton per day. This made it easy to meet the demand of Textile Companies and also increased the demand for Slaves This made it easy to meet the demand of Textile Companies and also increased the demand for Slaves

Slavery Expands From 1790 to 1860 cotton production increased by more than a 1000 times because of the Cotton Gin From 1790 to 1860 cotton production increased by more than a 1000 times because of the Cotton Gin It made a few slave holders rich and powerful It made a few slave holders rich and powerful –Only one tenth of Southerners had large plantations with 20 or more slaves –Between the slave population doubled In 1808 importing Africans became illegal. In 1808 importing Africans became illegal. Most of these Slaves were born in the United States. Most of these Slaves were born in the United States. –While most Southern farmers owned few or no slaves most supported slavery because they believed it gave them their best chance for future wealth.

African Americans in the South By 1840 Slaves made up 1/3 of the South’s population. By 1840 Slaves made up 1/3 of the South’s population. Most were on plantations Most were on plantations –Others in cities and elsewhere included domestic servants, skilled craftsmen, factory hands, and day laborers. –No matter your condition if you were a slave you were considered property 5% of Blacks in the South were free. 5% of Blacks in the South were free. –No matter your condition in the South there were laws and rules against you. If freed most were required to leave the state, you couldn’t vote, be educated and had a constant fear of being captured and being sold into slavery. If freed most were required to leave the state, you couldn’t vote, be educated and had a constant fear of being captured and being sold into slavery.

Families Under Slavery Marriages were not recognized Marriages were not recognized Family members could be sold Family members could be sold Religion was a cornerstone of African American culture in the south Religion was a cornerstone of African American culture in the south Sang spirituals about their desire for freedom. Also had hidden messages Sang spirituals about their desire for freedom. Also had hidden messages A common culture was created that helped African Americans bond together under the cruel practice of slavery A common culture was created that helped African Americans bond together under the cruel practice of slavery

Slave rebellions Some resisted violently, Some resisted violently, –Gabriel Prosser planned attacks in Richmond Virginia in 1800 –Denmark Vesey planned a revolt in Charleston in 1822 Nat Turner and his 70 + followers killed about 55 whites in 1831 Nat Turner and his 70 + followers killed about 55 whites in 1831 –Whites killed more than 200 African Americans in revenge –The state of Virginia considered ending slavery because of the upheaval, but the proposal was narrowly defeated. Some state legislatures passed harsh laws that limited the freedom of both free and enslaved African Americans Some state legislatures passed harsh laws that limited the freedom of both free and enslaved African Americans

Resisting Slavery Runaway Runaway –Slaves like Steven Douglass escaped to the North. Put messages in their songs (Spirituals) Put messages in their songs (Spirituals) Work Slowly Work Slowly Damage tools or crops Damage tools or crops Pretend not to understand Pretend not to understand