Wealth and Slavery in Carolina

Britain Develops A Colonial Policy Charles II began trading with colonies because Britain was in financial trouble. Mercantilism’s goal was to import more goods than those that were exported. Navigations Act of 1660 required all goods from the colonies to be shipped only in English ships with English crews. Act of Navigation and Trade stated that all goods sold in America by other nations had to be sent to England first. A third Act of Navigation and Trade was passed to require governors to enforce the trading laws.

Native American Slavery in Carolina Joseph West became governor of Carolina after the death of Sir John Yeamans. He supported the Native American Slave Trade. The Proprietors had invested a lot of money into the colony, but had not received a lot in return. His dream of making money through staple crops never panned out. Because he did nothing to stop the buying and selling of Native American slaves, the proprietors removed him from office.

Expanding Trade with the Indians Colonists had traded with the Indians since their arrival. Under the rule of Governor Joseph Blake, Charles Town merchants traded with Indians as far a way as the Mississippi River. The colony began to prosper due to trading with the Indians.

Rice Rice became Carolina’s staple crop or money crop. It was given to Carolina as a gift for their hospitality by Captain John Thurber. Rice became known as “Carolina Gold.” The profit of trading rice rose above that of trading with the Indians. Slaves were used to grow rice because of their knowledge of this trade. They built sluiceways (floodgates) to flood the rice fields at certain times of the year. Rice was grown the “African” way until 1787 when Jonathan Lucas invented a rice mill driven by waterpower instead of humans.

Indigo Rice could only be grown along the coast. Indigo could grow anywhere in warm Carolina climate. The dye from the Indigo plant brought a high price in Europe. The problems with indigo was the frost often killed the plant and making the dye was extremely difficult. Eliza Lucas Pinckney developed a better means of producing dye. She shared her concept with planters across the colony. Because of this, merchants in Carolina became richer at a faster pace.

African Slavery Rice and indigo required large labor forces, however there was a labor shortage in Carolina. Indentured servants and Native Americans did not provide enough labor force. Governor William Sayle brought a family of Africans to Carolina. Governor John Yeamans and Governor Joseph Morton brought enslaved people from Barbados.

The Slave Trade Companies in Europe bought slaves in West Africa and shipped them to America. Lord Ashley Cooper was a major stockholder in the Royal African Company. Slaves were brought to America through the Middle Passage. They were chained in narrow quarters and brought on deck for exercise in small groups once a day. Many died from diseases or committed suicide. Slaves brought to Carolina were unloaded on Sullivan’s Island where they were inspected for diseases. They were then auctioned off in Charles Town.

African-Americans in Carolina Because there were so many different languages, Africans created a common language known as Gullah. Gullah is still spoken in the low country. Africans brought many of their customs to America such as their rich heritage of music and dancing, wood carving and folk medicine. Many slaves were converted to Christians.

The Stono Rebellion The Stono Rebellion was led by a slave name Jemmy. The slaves met near the Stono River near Charles Town and robbed Hutchinson’s Store and killed the storekeepers. As they moved towards Beaufort, they urged other slaves to join them. They grew to about 60. The slaves killed any whites they met along the way and burned houses. They were surprised by a group of armed planters and killed. The Negro Act of 1740 was passed that prohibited slaves from traveling without a written pass. They could not raise food or earn money. They could not meet in groups without a white person being present. They could not learn to read or write.