Chapter 11 The Peculiar Institution

Chapter 11 The Peculiar Institution

Frederick Douglass How does Frederick Douglass
Background: Background (extensive, but good): How does Frederick Douglass Born -1818, Maryland, into slavery (mother) Learned to read & write (illegal in Maryland) Knowledge was “the pathway from slavery to freedom” Work: house servant, skilled craftsman in Baltimore shipyard, field hand on a plantation “Slave breaker” tried to control his independent spirit at 15 years old

Frederick Douglass Freedom: he vowed to gain his freedom after being whipped, this event was “the turning-point in my career as a slave” Escape: borrowed a free black sailor’s freedom papers and sailed to New Bedford, Massachusetts Abolition: lectured against slavery in the North & British Isles, campaigned for women’s rights Publications condemning slavery, Autobiography - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written By Himself Newspaper - North Star, a four-page weekly, Rochester, New York Slavery can end with continuous resistance. Frederick Douglass argued that slaves were truer to the principles of the Declaration of Independence than were most whites. He expresses this on July 4, 1852 to a crowd in his home of Rochester, NY

A photograph of Frederick Douglass , the fugitive slave who became a prominent abolitionist, take between 1847 and As a fellow abolitionist noted at the time, “The very look and bearing of Douglass are an irresistible logic against the oppression of his race.”

The Old South Peculiar Institution – an institution of slavery unique to the South in contrast to the free states of the North Mason-Dixon Line – established a border dividing the states between slave and free; result of a survey meant to settle a border dispute between the colonies of Pennsylvania and Maryland Statistics: 1850 – slavery expanded to Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas 1860 – 4 million slaves - slave population 1/3 of South - 1/3 of U.S. cotton grown in Mississippi

The Old South Cotton Is King
By 1820, slavery was an old institution in America, being two centuries old. Slavery persisted in Brazil and the Caribbean, Britain’s abolition of slavery within its empire in 1833 made the United States indisputably the center of New World slavery. - Timeline of Slavery , Jamestown & Slavery - Historic Mystery of 1st slaves solved recently KING COTTON (5:36) Cotton – international commodity “White Gold” US supply ¾ of world’s cotton 1803 Cotton is the most important export in the US By 1860, investments in slaves exceeded in value the worth of all of the nation’s factories, railroads, and banks combined. Supply Chain of Cotton: People - Slaves, Textile workers, transporters, manufacturers, planters Textile manufacturers from Great Britain, to France and Russia depend on cotton By 1820, slavery was an old institution in America. With abolition in the northern states, the “peculiar institution” of slavery became unique to the South. By the Civil War, the slave population had increased to nearly 4 million and slavery had spread to Arkansas, Louisiana, and eastern Texas. Slaves were one-third of the South’s entire population and half of the population in the cotton states of the Deep South. Slavery’s expansion was due to the growth of cotton production, which replaced sugar as the world’s major slave crop. Though slavery persisted in Brazil and the Caribbean, Britain’s abolition of slavery within its empire in 1833 made the United States slavery’s center in the hemisphere. The Old South was the largest and most powerful slave society in history, based on the region’s virtual monopoly on cotton. Cotton’s use in textile manufacturing made it central to the Industrial Revolution in Europe and America and the most important commodity in international trade. By 1803, cotton was America’s most important export. By 1860, investments in slaves exceeded in value the worth of all of the nation’s factories, railroads, and banks combined. To replace the foreign slave trade that had been banned in the United States in 1808, a massive internal slave trade developed. More than 2 million slaves were sold between 1820 and 1860, many of whom were transported to the Deep South to new cotton plantations. Virtually every slave owner at some point bought and sold slaves. The Cotton Kingdom could not have developed without the internal slave trade, and older slave states in the East came to depend on the sale of their slaves.

The Second Middle Passage
The Old South The Second Middle Passage 1808 Foreign Slave Trade is banned in the US, leading to an internal slave trade 1820 – million slaves sold to the Deep South Deep South - South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Internal Slave Trade defined the Cotton Kingdom: Slave Sales – Auctions, Advertisements, Slave Traders Banks – Finance slave trade Government (state/local) tax slave sales earning revenue Slave Trade Background - Lexington, Kentucky Slave Auction Images -

An engraving from just after the Civil War shows a cotton gin in use
An engraving from just after the Civil War shows a cotton gin in use. Black laborers bring cotton to the machine, which runs it through a series of pronged wheels, to separate the seeds from the fiber.

An American Slave Market, painted in 1852 by the unknown artist Taylor, depicts the sales of slaves, including one who had attempted to run away.

A slave dealer’s place of business in Atlanta
A slave dealer’s place of business in Atlanta. The buying and selling of slaves was a regularized part of the southern economy, and such businesses were a common sight in every southern town.

An advertisement by a slave trader seeking owners wishing to sell slaves. Dealers like Griggs played a crucial role in moving slaves from the Upper South to the burgeoning Cotton Kingdom of the Gulf Coast states.

A broadside advertising the public sale of slaves.

Demographics Free African Americans in The North ,152 The Upper South 224,963 The Deep South ,955 Total ,070 Total Population U.S ,957,471

Table 11.1 Growth of The Slave Population
Give Me Liberty!: An American history, 3rd Edition Copyright © W.W. Norton & Company

The Slave, Free Black, and White Population of the United States in 1830
Map - The Slave, Free Black, and White Population of the United States in 1830 This map does not distinguish the slave from the free black population of the free states, although the process of gradual emancipation in several northeastern states was still underway and some black northerners remained enslaved.

The Old South Slavery and the Nation
Constitution gave disproportionate power to southern states 3/5th Compromise gave the South disproportionate representation in the House of Representatives and electoral college Required all states to return fugitive slaves (Article IV canceled by 13th Amendment) Northern states abolished slavery, yet slavery affected them: Northern merchants and manufacturers participated in the slave economy and profited from it. Cotton trade profits helped finance industrial development and internal improvements in the North. Northern ships carried cotton, northern banks financed plantations, northern companies insured slave property, and northern factories turned cotton into clothing. Although the northern states abolished slavery, slavery affected them, nonetheless. The Constitution gave disproportionate power to southern states in the House of Representatives and electoral college and required all states to return fugitive slaves. Slavery touched the lives of all Americans. Northern merchants and manufacturers participated in the slave economy and profited from it. Cotton trade profits helped finance industrial development and internal improvements in the North. Northern ships carried cotton, northern banks financed plantations, northern companies insured slave property, and northern factories turned cotton into clothing. While slavery defined and dominated the South’s economy, the South was a diverse region. In the Upper South, slaves and slave owners were a much smaller percentage of the population, compared to Deep South states stretching from South Carolina to Texas. The Upper South had centers of manufacturing, while the Deep South depended entirely on cotton. Yet slavery caused the South to have a very different economic development than the North. Slavery inhibited industrial growth, discouraged immigration, and slowed technological progress. It did not have large and diverse cities like the North, except for New Orleans. Banks and railroad lines served plantations and little else. While many in the North thought slavery prevented economic growth, slavery in fact was very profitable and expanded the southern economy.

The Old South The Southern Economy
Slavery inhibited industrial growth, discouraged immigration, and slowed technological progress. It did not have large and diverse cities like the North, except for New Orleans. NEW ORLEANS had a rich immigrant culture: Free People of Antebellum New Orleans (interesting): Banks and railroad lines served plantations and little else. Slavery was very profitable and expanded the southern economy. Upper South: slaves and slave owners were a much smaller percentage of the population, centers of manufacturing slavery caused the South to have a very different economic development than the North. Deep South: Stretching from SC to TX Had the most slaves Economy depended entirely on cotton

This 1860 view of New Orleans captures the size and scale of the cotton trade in the South’s largest city. More than 3,500 steamboats arrived in New Orleans in 1860.

Plain Folk of the Old South
3/4ths of white southerners did not own slaves Planters had the best land, most small white farmers lived outside the plantation belt in areas unsuitable for cotton. They worked the land with the labor of family members, not slaves or wage-workers. Many were self-sufficient and remote from markets. They were often desperately poor and more often illiterate than northern farmers, since most southern states lacked free public schools. These farmers did not provide a market for manufactured goods - the South did not develop industry. While some poor whites resented the planters’ economic and political power, most accommodated the planters and shared with them a common racial identity, business ties, common political culture, and kinship ties. Many small white farmers believed their economic and personal freedom rested on slavery. South’s “Plain Folk” were a lookout for runaway slaves, rented slaves, elected slaveholders southern white families did not own slaves. Because planters had the best land, most small white farmers lived outside the plantation belt in areas unsuitable for cotton. They worked the land with the labor of family members, not slaves or wage-workers. Many were self-sufficient and remote from markets. They were often desperately poor and more often illiterate than northern farmers, since most southern states lacked free public schools. In part, because these farmers did not provide a market for manufactured goods, the South did not develop industry. While some poor whites resented the planters’ economic and political power, most accommodated the planters and shared with them a common racial identity, business ties, common political culture, and kinship ties. Many small white farmers believed their economic and personal freedom rested on slavery. Most slave owners did not own large plantations. In 1850, most slaveholding families owned 5 or fewer slaves. Only a small number of families owned more than 20 slaves; even fewer owned more than 100 slaves. Planters’ slave property provided wealth, status, and influence. They held the best land, had the highest incomes, and dominated local and state politics and government. Small slave owners aspired to become large planters. Planters owned slaves to make huge profits, and they used those profits for the conspicuous consumption of luxury goods, creating an aristocratic material life sharply at odds with life for most northerners.

The Old South The Planter Class
Most slave owners did not own large plantations. Fewer than 2,000 Families owned 100+ slaves. In 1850, most slaveholding families owned 5 or fewer slaves. Planters’ slave property provided wealth, status, and influence. Best land, Highest incomes Dominated local and state politics and government Owned slaves to make huge profits used those profits for the conspicuous consumption of luxury goods, creating an aristocratic material life Small slave owners aspired to become large planters.

An upcountry family, dressed in homespun, in Cedar Mountains, VA.
Many white families in the pre-Civil War South were largely isolated from the market economy.

Map 11.2 Size of Slaveholdings, 1860

Table 11.2 Slave Holding, 1850 (in round numbers)

The Old South The Paternalist Ethos The Code of Honor
Southern slaveowners were committed to hierarchical, agrarian society in which slaveholding gentlemen took personal responsibility for the well-being of their dependent women, children, and slaves. Hierarchy – Master “protects” dependents (family, slaves) This outlook of “paternalism” had long been a feature of American slavery, but it deepened with the end of the African slave trade, which closed the cultural gap between slaves and owners. Plantations were part of a world market, and planters worked to accumulate land, slaves, and great profits, some of which they invested in railroads and banks. And most southern slave owners lived on their own plantations, close to their slaves. Paternalism obscured and justified slavery’s brutality. Owners thought themselves kind and responsible even while they bought, sold, and punished their slaves. Paternalism and Slavery: Paternalism and Slavery supported the institution: The Code of Honor Over time, southern values diverged from the North’s culture of egalitarianism, competition, and individualism. In the South, men of all classes followed a code of personal honor, in which they were expected to defend the reputation of themselves and their families, with violence if necessary. Dueling, while illegal, was not uncommon. Southern white women were even more confined to the home and the domestic ideal than northern women. Plantations were part of a world market, and planters worked to accumulate land, slaves, and great profits, some of which they invested in railroads and banks. But planters celebrated, not competitive capitalism but a hierarchical, agrarian society in which slaveholding gentlemen took personal responsibility for the well-being of their dependent women, children, and slaves. This outlook of “paternalism” had long been a feature of American slavery, but it deepened with the end of the African slave trade, which closed the cultural gap between slaves and owners. And most southern slave owners lived on their own plantations, close to their slaves. Paternalism obscured and justified slavery’s brutality. Owners thought themselves kind and responsible even while they bought, sold, and punished their slaves. Over time, southern values diverged from the North’s culture of egalitarianism, competition, and individualism. In the South, men of all classes followed a code of personal honor, in which they were expected to defend the reputation of themselves and their families, with violence if necessary. Dueling, while illegal, was not uncommon. Southern white women were even more confined to the home and the domestic ideal than northern women.

A pre–Civil War engraving depicting the paternalist ideal
A pre–Civil War engraving depicting the paternalist ideal. The old slave in the foreground says, “God Bless you massa! You feed and clothe us, And when too old to work, you provide for us!” The master replies, “These poor creatures are a sacred legacy from my ancestors and while a dollar is left me, nothing shall be spared to increase their comfort and happiness.”

Slavery as It Exists in America: (Proslavery argument)
Proslavery thought that slaves were happy and carefree, while English workers, including children, were victims of the oppressive system of “factory slavery”

The Proslavery Argument
The Old South The Proslavery Argument In the thirty years before the Civil War, pro-slavery thought came to dominate southern intellectual and cultural life. Fewer southern whites felt, as had many founding fathers, that slavery was a necessary evil, and more started to argue it was a positive good. Foundations of Proslavery Argument: Racism—the belief that blacks were innately inferior to whites and suited for slavery—framed the proslavery argument. Slave owners also found justification for slavery in ancient history and the Bible. Some southerners argued that black slavery guaranteed equality for whites by preventing the growth of a white working class in the South. Slavery, they argued, provided the economic autonomy and independence that the North’s industrial workers lacked and which formed the basis of the republic. Prevented them “low, menial jobs” Proslavery Arguments: Overview: Slavery was supported by many Southerners, no longer arguing that it was a necessary evil, but claimed it as the basis for free institutions argued that slavery was essential to human, economic, and cultural progress In the thirty years before the Civil War, pro-slavery thought came to dominate southern intellectual and cultural life. Fewer southern whites felt, as had many founding fathers, that slavery was a necessary evil, and more started to argue it was a positive good. Racism—the belief that blacks were innately inferior to whites and suited for slavery—framed the proslavery argument. Slave owners also found justification for slavery in ancient history and the Bible. Some southerners argued that black slavery guaranteed equality for whites by preventing the growth of a white working class in the South. Slavery, they argued, provided the economic autonomy and independence that the North’s industrial workers lacked and which formed the basis of the republic. Southern slaveholders knew of the Haitian Revolution, other slave rebellions, and British abolition. Emancipation throughout the Americas strongly shaped debates about slavery and its future in the United States. While American slave owners argued that emancipation had been a failure, abolitionists disagreed. By 1850, slave systems remained in the western hemisphere only in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and the United States.

Abolition in the Americas
The Old South Abolition in the Americas Southern slaveholders knew of the Haitian Revolution, other slave rebellions, and British abolition (1833). Emancipation throughout the Americas strongly shaped debates about slavery and its future in the United States. While American slave owners argued that emancipation had been a failure, abolitionists disagreed. By 1850, slave systems remained in the western hemisphere only in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and the United States. Slave rebellions abroad sent waves of fear throughout the South The End of slavery in Latin American nations involved gradual emancipation and recognition of owners' legal rights to slaver property; this allowed for the ownership of existing slaves while eventually freeing their slaves' children

Slavery and Civilization
The Old South Slavery and Liberty Many white southerners claimed they were the true inheritors of the Revolution’s legacy, and they freely used the language of liberty to contrast their condition with slavery. They complained that government interference with their economy threatened to “enslave” them. Southern state constitutions acknowledged equal rights for free white men. But in the 1830s, some pro-slavery writers began to argue that liberty, equality, and democracy were not necessarily beneficial to the South. South Carolina in particular was home to many who argued that freedom and equality were not universal entitlements, even for all whites. When sectionalism intensified after 1830, more southern writers and politicians came to defend slavery not as ensuring equality between whites, but as the basis of an organic, hierarchical society in which white large planters ruled over lesser whites and slaves. Slavery and Civilization Virginian George Fitzhugh took this argument to the extreme, repudiating Jeffersonian ideals and the idea of America’s world mission to spread freedom. He argued that slavery, not liberty, was the normal basis of civilization in world history. He argued that slaves were happy and contented. He suggested that white workers in the North and South should have paternal white owners to care for them, rather than be enslaved by capitalist markets and employers. Many white southerners claimed they were the true inheritors of the Revolution’s legacy, and they freely used the language of liberty to contrast their condition with slavery. They complained that government interference with their economy threatened to “enslave” them. Southern state constitutions acknowledged equal rights for free white men. But in the 1830s, some pro-slavery writers began to argue that liberty, equality, and democracy were not necessarily beneficial to the South. South Carolina in particular was home to many who argued that freedom and equality were not universal entitlements, even for all whites. When sectionalism intensified after 1830, more southern writers and politicians came to defend slavery not as ensuring equality between whites, but as the basis of an organic, hierarchical society in which white large planters ruled over lesser whites and slaves. Virginian George Fitzhugh took this argument to the extreme, repudiating Jeffersonian ideals and the idea of America’s world mission to spread freedom. He argued that slavery, not liberty, was the normal basis of civilization in world history. He argued that slaves were happy and contented. He suggested that white workers in the North and South should have paternal white owners to care for them, rather than be enslaved by capitalist markets and employers.

Life under Slavery Slaves and the Law
Slavery meant incessant toil, harsh punishment, and constant fear that that their families would be destroyed by sale. Although these laws were not always enforced, the entire southern legal and governmental system was designed to enforce the slave masters’ control over the slaves’ bodies and labor. Slaves were considered property and had few legal rights: Legal Rights: Right to Trial by Jury with an all white jury and judge Legal Constraints: Bought and sold by owners at will No voice in government Could Not testify in court against whites, sign contracts or buy property, own firearms, hold meetings apart from whites, or leave a farm or plantation without permission, illegal to teach slaves to read and write (by 1830’s) but they had the right to a trial (all white jury and judge) when accused of serious crimes, marriage was also controlled by masters For slaves, slavery meant incessant toil, harsh punishment, and constant fear that that their families would be destroyed by sale. Slaves were the legal property of their owners. Their few legal rights were rarely enforced. Slaves could be bought and sold by their owners at will and had no voice in the governments that ruled over them. They could not testify in court against whites, sign contracts or buy property, own firearms, hold meetings apart from whites, or leave a farm or plantation without permission. By the 1830s, it was illegal to teach slaves how to read and write. Although these laws were not always enforced, the entire southern legal and governmental system was designed to enforce the slave masters’ control over the slaves’ bodies and labor. During the early nineteenth century, some southern states passed laws to prevent slave mistreatment, and their material conditions did improve. Many slaves supplemented the food owners provided by raising crops and livestock, gathering, and hunting. They had better diets than slaves in the West Indies and Brazil. Paternalism contributed to slaves’ material improvements over time. And the increasing price of slaves encouraged planters to care for their slaves’ basic well-being. Yet slavery was tightened in this period, and states passed laws making it harder for owners to free their slaves and for slaves to buy their own freedom.

Conditions of Slave Life
Life under Slavery Conditions of Slave Life Paternalism contributed to slaves’ material improvements Slave conditions improved by the mid-19th century due the end of the external slave trade (1808) & the rising value of slaves encouraged planters to care for their slaves’ basic well-being. Living Conditions: Read the 1st 3 paragraphs in the 1st column about paternalism. Slavery was also tightened in this period, and states passed laws making it harder for owners to free their slaves and for slaves to buy their own freedom. Legal Restrictions (black codes): This is an essay that elaborates in detail how legal code referred to as black codes restricted African-Americans lives. Simply read the footnotes in the left hand margin of the essay to get a general idea.

Free Blacks in the Old South
Life under Slavery Free Blacks in the Old South Slavery helped define the status of free blacks. By the Civil War, half a million free blacks lived in the United States, the majority in the South. While whites defined their freedom by their distance from slavery, free blacks were not radically different than enslaved blacks. North - free blacks could not vote and had few economic opportunities. South - free blacks could own their own property , marry, and could not be bought or sold as slaves Free blacks could not own dogs, guns, liquor, strike whites, own firearms, testify in court, or vote Israel Hill was a community of free blacks in Virginia using land provided by Richard Randolph Slavery helped define the status of free blacks. By the Civil War, half a million free blacks lived in the United States, the majority in the South. While whites defined their freedom by their distance from slavery, free blacks were not radically different than enslaved blacks. In most of the North, free blacks could not vote and had few economic opportunities. In the South, free blacks could own their own property, could marry, and could not be bought or sold as slaves. But they had virtually no other rights in southern society. They could not own dogs, guns, or liquor; could not strike whites, even in self-defense; and had to carry proof of their free status. In other American slave societies, where racial identity was less sharply distinguished, free blacks amassed property and prestige. In the United States, the sharp racial distinction between black and white left little room for a mulatto class to emerge. By 1860, very few of the South’s free blacks lived in the Lower South, and those who did were mostly in cities. In New Orleans and Charleston, however, large free black communities existed, and while most were craftsmen, a few became quite wealthy. They established their own churches and schools. In the Upper South, where most southern free blacks lived, they worked mostly for wages as farm labor. Some free blacks here even owned slaves.

The Upper and Lower South
Life under Slavery The Upper and Lower South By 1860, very few of the South’s free blacks lived in the Lower South, and those who did were mostly in cities. In New Orleans and Charleston, however, large free black communities existed, and while most were craftsmen, a few became quite wealthy. They established their own churches and schools. In the Upper South, where most southern free blacks lived, they worked mostly for wages as farm labor. Some free blacks here even owned slaves.

Table 11.3 Free Black Population, 1860

Map 11.3 Distribution of Free Blacks, 1860

Life under Slavery Slave Labor
Labor occupied most of a slave's daily existence. There were many types of jobs: Large plantations - labor in the fields to skilled labor like carpentry, engineering, and shoemaking Worked on steamboats, in mines, in seaports, and on railroads Built roads, forts and other public buildings for state and federal government (cutting wood, working in mines, working on docks, artisans, field hand) ,000 worked in industry in the upper south such as ironworks and tobacco factories Master rented out to do other jobs A few slaves were entrusted with great responsibilities, such as supervising other slaves and white workers, selling goods, or handling money Simon Gray oversaw a riverboat crew on the Mississippi and managed the sale of his owner's lumber) Slave Labor and Conditions: Slavery was above all a labor system, in which work occupied the entirety of slaves’ time, except for brief meals. On large plantations, slaves performed all kinds of work, from labor in the fields to skilled labor like carpentry, engineering, and shoemaking. Slaves also worked on steamboats, in mines, in seaports, and on railroads. Local authorities used them to build roads and other facilities, and the federal government used them to build forts and other public buildings. Professionals such as merchants, lawyers, and businessmen used slaves, and by the Civil War, 200,000 slaves worked in industries such as ironworks and tobacco factories. In southern cities, slaves were used as unskilled labor and skilled artisans. A few slaves were entrusted with great responsibilities, such as supervising other slaves, selling goods, or handling money. Most slaves, perhaps as many as 75 percent of women and 90 percent of men, worked in the fields. The organization of their work varied according to the crop and the size of the holding. On small farms, slaves worked alongside their owner. The largest concentration of slaves worked on plantations in the Cotton Belt in gangs, directed by an overseer and maybe a slave “driver.” Overseers, tasked with producing large crops, were often brutal. Slaves who worked sugarcane in southern Louisiana also worked in gangs, in the harshest working conditions in the South. Slaves who worked on rice plantations in South Carolina and Georgia engaged in task labor, without supervision, and had free time for the day if they finished their daily task.

Gang Labor and Task Labor
Life under Slavery Gang Labor and Task Labor Large Plantations & Labor: Most slaves worked in the Cotton Belt in the fields using a gang system of labor (75% of women 90% of men) Slaves who worked sugarcane in southern Louisiana also worked in gangs, in the harshest working conditions in the South. Gang Labor: teams of slaves would be managed by an overseer Overseer: a white employee in charge of ensuring a profitable crop for the plantation master, often brutal Look inside the account book of an Overseer: Slave “Drivers”: slaves appointed by masters to positions of authority on the plantation Small Farms and Labor: Owners on small farms often labored with slaves Task labor: allowed slaves to take daily jobs, set their own pace, and work on their own when they were done Slaves who worked on rice plantations in South Carolina and Georgia engaged in task labor, without supervision, and had free time for the day if they finished their daily task. Malaria was a risk in the swamps.

Map 11.4 Major Crops of the South, 1860

Life under Slavery Slavery in the Cities
From the slaves’ perspective, slavery in different regions of the South could be “worse” in some respects and “better” in others. Slaves in rice fields faced harsh conditions but had more independence than other slaves because of task labor and the absence of a large white population. Urban slaves were most often domestic servants Skilled urban slave craftsmen had great autonomy and often could hire themselves out and sometimes even keep their earnings. Many urban slaves even lived by themselves. By the 1850s, most slave owners began to remove urban slaves to the country, fearing their independence was eroding the relationship between master and slave. From the slaves’ perspective, slavery in different regions of the South could be “worse” in some respects and “better” in others. Slaves in rice fields faced harsh conditions but had more independence than other slaves because of task labor and the absence of a large white population. Skilled urban slave craftsmen had great autonomy and often could hire themselves out and sometimes even keep their earnings. Many urban slaves even lived by themselves. By the 1850s, most slave owners began to remove urban slaves to the country, fearing their independence was eroding the relationship between master and slave. Slavery was based on force. Slave owners used a variety of methods to maintain order and discipline and persuade slaves to work productively. Masters could inflict almost any kind of punishment, and it was the rare slave who was not whipped at some point in his or her life. Even minor infractions invited whipping. Owners used subtler methods, too. They exploited divisions among the slaves, especially between field hands and house servants. They created incentives for hard work, such as time off or even cash payments. The threat of sale was the most powerful weapon owners had, since sale disrupted families and slave communities.

Life under Slavery Maintaining Order
Slavery was based on force. Slave owners used a variety of methods to maintain order and discipline and persuade slaves to work productively. Whip - it was the rare slave who was not whipped at some point in his or her life. Even minor infractions invited whipping. Reward for Good Work - They created incentives for hard work, such as time off or even cash payments. Threat of sale was the most powerful weapon owners had, since sales divided families and slave communities.

Slave Culture The Slave Family
Slaves never gave up their hope for freedom or their will to resist total white control over them. Created a semi-independent culture centered on the family and church, which enabled them to survive the experience of bondage without abandoning their self-esteem and to pass on to other generations values that conflicted with those of their masters. Slave culture drew on the heritage of Africa. African influence appeared in dance and music, forms of religious worship, and slave medicine. The end of the foreign slave trade helped foster a particularly new African-American culture, shaped by American and African traditions and values. Marriage between slaves was illegal but many slaves married, jumping over a broomstick was part of the ceremony (in order to sweep away their former single lives) Children were named after other family to retain over generations Slavery and Family: (Skim this site for details on slave families, marriages, and hardships) Slaves never gave up their hope for freedom or their will to resist total white control over them. They succeeded in creating a semi-independent culture centered on the family and church, which enabled them to survive the experience of bondage without abandoning their self-esteem and to pass on to other generations values that conflicted with those of their masters. Slave culture drew on the heritage of Africa. African influence appeared in dance and music, forms of religious worship, and slave medicine. The end of the foreign slave trade helped foster a particularly new African-American culture, shaped by American and African traditions and values. The family was the center of slave community. Because of a natural increase of the slave population, in the United States there was an equal ratio of male and female slaves, allowing for the creation of families. While slave marriages were not legally recognized, masters had to consent to them and marriages were often significant events on plantations. Most slaves stayed married for life, if not disrupted by sale, and families typically had two parents, although the sale of male slaves created a higher number of female-headed families than in white families. The threat of being sold, and thus disrupting families, was the slave owners’ greatest weapon, and fear of being sold pervaded slave life. Many men and children were separated from families by sale, but so were women. Some masters simply ignored slave families when making decisions about selling slaves.

Slave Culture The Threat of Sale
Family was the center of slave community. Natural increase of the slave population in the United States was supported by an equal ratio of male and female slaves, allowing for the creation of families. Marriage - While slave marriages were not legally recognized, masters had to consent to them and marriages were often significant events on plantations. Separation of Families - Most slaves stayed married for life, if not disrupted by sale, and families typically had two parents, although the sale of male slaves created a higher number of female-headed families than in white families. Many men and children were separated from families by sale, but so were women. Some masters simply ignored slave families when making decisions about selling slaves. Threat of being sold, and thus disrupting families, was the slave owners’ greatest weapon, and fear of being sold pervaded slave life.

Gender Roles among Slaves
Slave Culture Gender Roles among Slaves In some ways, gender roles for slaves were very different than those in the larger society. Slave men and women were equally powerless. The cult of domesticity, relegating women to the home, did not apply to slave women. Slave men could not provide for their families, protect wives from physical or sexual abuse by owners and overseers, or choose when and how their children might work. When slaves worked “on their own time,” traditional gender roles prevailed. Slave men worked outdoors while slave women cared for children and cooked. The slave family remained central to slave culture and allowed slaves to transmit their values and traditions and strategies for survival from generation to generation. In some ways, gender roles for slaves were very different than those in the larger society. Slave men and women were equally powerless. The cult of domesticity, relegating women to the home, did not apply to slave women. Slave men could not provide for their families, protect wives from physical or sexual abuse by owners and overseers, or choose when and how their children might work. However, when slaves worked “on their own time,” traditional gender roles prevailed. Slave men worked outdoors while slave women cared for children and cooked. The slave family remained central to slave culture and allowed slaves to transmit their values and traditions and strategies for survival from generation to generation. A distinctive form of Christianity also helped slaves survive and resist bondage. Slaves participated in the religious fervor of the Second Great Awakening. Every plantation seemed to have a slave preacher, often with little education but considerable oratorical skill and knowledge of the Bible. Urban slaves often established their own churches. But masters used Christianity as another means of control and discipline. Some required their slaves to attend sermons reminding slaves that theft was immoral and that servants should obey their masters.

Slave Culture Slave Religion
A distinctive form of Christianity also helped slaves survive and resist bondage. Slaves participated in the religious fervor of the Second Great Awakening. Every plantation seemed to have a slave preacher, often with little education but considerable oratorical skill and knowledge of the Bible. Urban slaves often established their own churches. Masters used Christianity as another means of control and discipline. Some required their slaves to attend sermons reminding slaves that theft was immoral and that servants should obey their masters. Slavery & Religion:

Slave Culture The Gospel of Freedom
Black Christianity offered hope to slaves, it combined African traditions and Christian beliefs, identified with enslaved Jews in Egypt, Biblical stories offered hope Biblical Stories and Connections: The biblical story of Exodus in which God chooses Moses to lead the enslaved Jews of Egypt to the promised land of freedom, was central to black Christianity. Slaves saw themselves as a chosen people whom would one day deliver from bondage. Christ as a redeemer who cared for the oppressed was important. Other heroes from the Bible included Jonah, who escaped from the whale; David, who bested the more powerful Goliath; and Daniel, who escaped from the lion’s den. The Christian message of brotherhood and equality of all before the Creator seemed to repudiate slavery. African tradition and Christian beliefs, slave religion was practiced at night in secret or in open during the day. These meetings were frequently interactive and emotional. The biblical story of Exodus in which God chooses Moses to lead the enslaved Jews of Egypt to the promised land of freedom, was central to black Christianity. Slaves saw themselves as a chosen people whom would one day deliver from bondage. Christ as a redeemer who cared for the oppressed was important. Other heroes from the Bible included Jonah, who escaped from the whale; David, who bested the more powerful Goliath; and Daniel, who escaped from the lion’s den. The Christian message of brotherhood and equality of all before the Creator seemed to repudiate slavery. Slave culture rested on slaves’ belief that slavery was unjust and their yearnings for freedom. Despite pro-slavery arguments, slaves believed they were being deprived of the fruits of their labor by idle planters living lives of luxury. While most slaves knew it was impossible to directly combat their condition, this did not prevent them from desiring freedom. Slaves constantly talked and dreamed of liberty, and their actions during and after the Civil War flowed from their experience of slavery and their hope of escaping it.

Slave Culture The Desire for Liberty
Slave culture rested on a sense of the injustice of bondage and the desire for freedom. Slave folklore, like Brer Rabbit stories, glorified the weak over the strong and their spirituals emphasized eventual liberation Brer Rabbit: Themes of Brer Rabbit Origins of Brer Rabbit Brer Rabbit Stories Folktales background:

Resistance to Slavery Forms of Resistance
Slave Rebellions Rare - Outnumbered by whites and facing federal, state, and local authorities dedicated to preserving slavery, slaves only rarely rebelled. This does not mean that slaves simply submitted to their condition. Resistance to slavery took many forms: individual acts of disobedience to the occasional uprising. “Silent Sabotage" - The most common form of slave opposition was “day-to-day resistance” or “silent sabotage”: doing poor work, breaking tools, abusing animals, and simply disrupting plantation routine. Less common ways to resist were poisoning, arson, armed assaults Outnumbered by whites and facing federal, state, and local authorities dedicated to preserving slavery, slaves only rarely rebelled. Compared to Caribbean or Latin American slavery, where slaves were more numerous and more often imported directly from Africa, slave rebellions in the United States were smaller and less frequent. This does not mean that slaves simply submitted to their condition. Resistance to slavery took many forms, from individual acts of disobedience to the occasional uprising. The most common form of slave opposition was “day-to-day resistance” or “silent sabotage”: doing poor work, breaking tools, abusing animals, and simply disrupting plantation routine. Slaves faked illness or found other ways to avoid reporting to work. Many slaves stole food, but less frequent and more dangerous were assaults against whites, from arson and poisoning to armed attacks. Escape was a serious threat to slavery’s stability. Most slaves who ran away would leave the plantation for a day or two, simply to frustrate owners, but would return. The smaller number of fugitive slaves who attempted to permanently escape faced considerable obstacles to freedom. They often had little or no knowledge of geography beyond the plantation, other than to know that them north meant freedom. Perhaps 1,000 slaves reached the North or Canada each year. Most fugitive slaves escaped from Upper South states, where they could more easily reach the North. In the Deep South, fugitive slaves often went to cities where they could blend in with free black communities. A loose organization of sympathetic black and white abolitionists, called the “Underground Railroad,” helped slaves runaway.

Resistance to Slavery Fugitive Slaves
Escape was a serious threat to slavery’s stability. Most slaves who ran away would leave the plantation for a day or two, simply to frustrate owners, but would return. The smaller number of fugitive slaves who attempted to permanently escape faced considerable obstacles to freedom. Obstacles to Escape: Little or no knowledge of geography beyond the plantation Statistics of Escape: 1,000 slaves reached the North or Canada each year. Most fugitive slaves escaped from Upper South states, where they could more easily reach the North. In the Deep South, fugitive slaves often went to cities where they could blend in with free black communities. Underground Railroad: A loose organization of sympathetic black and white abolitionists, called the “Underground Railroad,” helped slaves runaway. Harriet Tubman was a fugitive slave who risked her life many times to bring others out of slavery using a series of safe points (Underground Railroad) leading to freedom on the North the North Star was a guide North and led to freedom Take a Journey on the Underground Railroad: (try both websites)

Map 11.5 Slave Resistance in the Nineteenth-Century Atlantic World

Resistance to Slavery The Amistad Slave Revolts
In a few cases, large groups of rebellious slaves gained their freedom. The most famous case involved the slaves aboard the Amistad, a slave ship off the Cuban coast, in After they seized the ship, the slaves sailed the ship up the American coast until it was seized. While President Martin Van Buren wanted to return the slaves to Cuba, abolitionists helped the slaves sue for freedom, and in the Supreme Court, former president John Quincy Adams defended them. Adams argued that since the slaves had been brought from Africa in violation of international treaties banning the slave trade, they should be freed. The Court agreed, and most of the freed slaves emigrated back to Africa. While the Amistad case had no legal bearing on slaves in the United States, it may have inspired later revolts on slave ships. The Amistad: Slave Revolts Slaves only rarely mounted organized rebellions within the U.S. The four largest conspiracies in American history happened between 1800 and Gabriel’s Rebellion in 1800 was followed in 1811 by an uprising on sugar plantations in Louisiana, in which several hundred armed slaves who tried to march on New Orleans were defeated in a bloody encounter with militia and federal troops. In 1822, Denmark Vesey, a slave carpenter in Charleston, South Carolina, organized a rebellion. He quoted the Bible and the Declaration of Independence to justify armed resistance. His plot was discovered before it was implemented, and Vesey and thirty-four other blacks were executed. Slave Rebellions - In a few cases, large groups of rebellious slaves gained their freedom. The most famous case involved the slaves aboard the Amistad, a slave ship off the Cuban coast, in After they seized the ship, the slaves sailed the ship up the American coast until it was seized. While President Martin Van Buren wanted to return the slaves to Cuba, abolitionists helped the slaves sue for freedom, and in the Supreme Court, former president John Quincy Adams defended them. Adams argued that since the slaves had been brought from Africa in violation of international treaties banning the slave trade, they should be freed. The Court agreed, and most of the freed slaves emigrated back to Africa. While the Amistad case had no legal bearing on slaves in the United States, it may have inspired later revolts on slave ships. Slaves only rarely mounted organized rebellions within the U.S. The four largest conspiracies in American history happened between 1800 and Gabriel’s Rebellion in 1800 was followed in 1811 by an uprising on sugar plantations in Louisiana, in which several hundred armed slaves who tried to march on New Orleans were defeated in a bloody encounter with militia and federal troops. In 1822, Denmark Vesey, a slave carpenter in Charleston, South Carolina, organized a rebellion. He quoted the Bible and the Declaration of Independence to justify armed resistance. His plot was discovered before it was implemented, and Vesey and thirty-four other blacks were executed.

Nat Turner’s Rebellion
Resistance to Slavery Nat Turner’s Rebellion The most well-known slave rebel was Nat Turner, a slave preacher and mystic in Virginia, who believed that God had appointed him to lead a black rebellion. Though he chose to launch his uprising on July 4, 1831, it was delayed until August, when he led a handful of followers from farm to farm, killing white families along the way. After killing dozens of whites, Turner and his followers were captured and executed. Impact: Turner’s Rebellion shocked the South and caused owners throughout the region to punish and execute recalcitrant or suspicious slaves. In the aftermath, Virginia’s legislature passed harsh laws further restricting slaves and the rights of free blacks. Other southern states followed suit. The rebellion also inspired a growing movement of abolitionists in the North to demand the immediate abolition of slavery, sparking a reaction in the South against abolition and civil liberties that would intensify sectional hostility. Nat Turner Biography Nat Turner Revolt The most well-known slave rebel was Nat Turner, a slave preacher and mystic in Virginia, who believed that God had appointed him to lead a black rebellion. Though he chose to launch his uprising on July 4, 1831, it was delayed until August, when he led a handful of followers from farm to farm, killing white families along the way. After killing dozens of whites, Turner and his followers were captured and executed. Turner’s Rebellion shocked the South and caused owners throughout the region to punish and execute recalcitrant or suspicious slaves. In the aftermath, Virginia’s legislature passed harsh laws further restricting slaves and the rights of free blacks. Other southern states followed suit. The rebellion also inspired a growing movement of abolitionists in the North to demand the immediate abolition of slavery, sparking a reaction in the South against abolition and civil liberties that would intensify sectional hostility.

An engraving depicting Nat Turner’s slave rebellion of 1831

Additional Art for Chapter 11

A detail from Norman’s Chart

St. John Plantation, an 1861 painting by Marie Adrien Persac

A plate manufactured in England to celebrate emancipation

Metal shackles, from around 1850.

Slaves were an ever-present part of southern daily life.

A female slave drying cotton

In this undated photograph, men, women and children

A Public Whipping of Slaves in Lexington

Kitchen Ball at White Sulphur Springs

A black preacher, as portrayed in Harper’sWeekly, February 2, 1867.

A typical broadside offering a reward for the capture
of a runaway slave. Give Me Liberty!: An American history, 3rd Edition Copyright © W.W. Norton & Company

A lithograph depicting Joseph Cinqué

Norton Lecture Slides Independent and Employee-Owned
This concludes the Norton Lecture Slides Slide Set for Chapter 11 Give Me Liberty! AN AMERICAN HISTORY THIRD EDITION by Eric Foner

Chapter 11 The Peculiar Institution

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