1. African Americans at Mid-Century

4. racism: prejudice based on race discrimination: unequal treatment based on a person’s race, gender, religion, place of birth, or other arbitrary characteristic segregation: the social separation of groups of people, especially by race

6. 19A: Working Conditions of Slaves Slaves work from sunup to sundown. Some slaves worked in the fields. Some slaves worked in the house. Some slaves were skilled craftspeople. Slaves began to work at age six.

8. 19B: Living Conditions of Slaves Slaves lived crowded together in crude cabins. Few slaves went hungry. They ate cornmeal, bacon, molasses, & food from gardens & hunting. Slaves wore course linen called “negro cloth.” Medical treatment was provided, but was not very good.

10. 19C: Controlling Slaves Beating Whipping Branding Keeping slaves as ignorant & dependent as possible Instilling fear

12. 19D: Resistance to Slavery Slaves broke tools. Slaves worked sloppily. Slaves took food from their owners’ kitchens. Slaves acted dumb or sick. Slaves refused orders, ran away, or openly revolted.

14. 19E: Slave Families & Communities Positive Aspects: – Most slaves grew up in families with both a father & a mother. – Tight-knit slave families & communities helped slaves cope with slavery. Negative Aspects: – Laws did not protect slave families. – Owners could break up families through the sale of one slave.

16. 19F: Leisure Time Activities Quilting bees Corn-husking parties Singing & dancing Telling tales Going to church Playing games

18. 19G: Slave Churches The word invisible refers to the fact that slaves had to hide their religious beliefs. Slave masters tried to use religion to control their slaves. Slaves worked hard to establish their own, invisible church that expressed their own experience.

20. 19H: African American Culture Slaves used African images, such as animals, in their quilts. Slave spirituals used African rhythms & harmonies. Slaves dances were based on African traditions. Slaves told stories that incorporated African legends & folktales.