1. The Divided Society of the Old South
Socially, people living within the realm of a slave-based economy were granted status according to class and caste.
In the south in the first half of the 19th c, an elite group of whites dominated the society and made profits on the labor of Black slaves, who were able to nonetheless develop a culture of their own
Read subtitle
Play first few minutes of Gone with the Wind.

2. The World of Southern Blacks
A. Slaves’ Daily Life and Labor
90% of the South’s 4 mill slaves worked on plantations or farms
Typically worked in a “gang” system, overseen by a “driver”
About ¾ worked as field hands
Remaining slaves – cooking, cleaning, building, gardening

3. B. Slave Families, Kinship, and Community
Most important institution-family
Prevented slaves from becoming completely demoralized
Provided slaves with a sense of community
Generally monogamous and stable
II. B

4. C. African-American Religion
Evangelical Protestantism & African religion
Themes of deliverance and freedom
Religion facilitated
Sense of community
Solidarity
Self-esteem

5. D. Resistance and Rebellion
Sabotage
Stealing provisions
Story-telling
Running Away
Violence
, slaves participated in revolts hoping to free themselves
Typically uncommon throughout the South

6. E. Free Blacks in the Old South
Minority
By the 1830s
Subjected to rigid rules
Rules:
Limited movement
Limited contact with other African-Americans