1. Slavery In America

2. Slavery So Far
Northwest Ordinance: Settled the Northwest Territory but also banned slavery in new states north of the Ohio River.
Missouri Compromise: settled the issue of the expansion of slavery in the Louisiana Territory; established the 36˚30 line as border of slavery.

3. King Cotton Britain came to rely heavily on Southern cotton
The South was prime for growing cotton
Large sections of flat land
Long, lazy rivers to transport crops
Humid climate
Britain came to rely heavily on Southern cotton
Large cotton boom lead to plantation economy
Plantations: large farms owned by the ultra rich

4. Southern Society Slave owners were NOT a majority
Made up less than 40% of white population in South
Most non-slave owning whites hoped to become wealthy enough to
become slave owners and get rich
Southern city dwellers (with little or no land)
Transported crops
Sold farming tools

5. Discussion
What were the goals of the early legislation about slavery? (What were they trying to do?)
Why was the South a good place to grow cotton?
Why is it a problem when such a small part of society controls so much of the economy?

6. Conditions of Slavery
Many slaves were treated brutally by their owners
Punishment was common for refusal or slow work
Many families were split apart
Motivation: Keep parents and children from helping each other escape
Most slaves were prohibited from learning to read and write
Owners did not want slaves to be able to organize

7. Effects of Conditions Slaves seek out comfort in religion
Spirituals: religious folk songs; helped slaves communicate in secret
Some slaves turned to violence
Nat Turner’s Rebellion: slave revolt in Virginia
Result: Failed but struck fear into white southerners
Response:
Slave codes: laws to keep slaves under control

8. Reflection
Could the United States government have prevented the issues over slavery prior to this point? How?