1. African Americans at Mid-Century
Chapter 20
African Americans at Mid-Century

2. North (Free) vs. South (Slave)
Slaves’ legal status was the same as property. Slaves did not have the same rights as free people and could be bought and sold.
Rural slaves worked on farms and plantations in the South. Urban Slaves lived in cities and were hired out to factories, mills and workshops. Their wages were given to their owners.
Half of all free African Americans lived in the South. Free African Americans in the South were not allowed to work in certain jobs. Most worked as laborers, craftspeople, or household servants.
Free African Americans in the North held low paying jobs, were not allowed to vote, were denied entry in public schools and faced discrimination by whites. Despite discrimination, some formed churches, schools, and other organizations.

3. II. Economics of Slavery
Cotton
Cotton Gin
Made cotton a cash crop
1790 – 3,000 bales – 4 million bales
Supply & Demand
Price of cotton increased – slaves more valuable to owners

4. Working & Living Conditions of Slaves
Slaves worked on farms of various sizes. ¾ of all slaves were field hands. Others worked as seamstresses, carpenters, blacksmiths, cooks or servants. Work started at six years of age.
Slaves lived in crowded cabins and were provided enough to stay healthy for work.
Slaves were given clothing allowances for a year. These clothes were poor quality and when they wore out they had to go naked until the next allowance was given.
Slaves were poorly clothed and housed compared to white southerners, but were more likely to receive medical attention.

6. V. Controlling Slaves Punishment Slave Breakers
beating, whipping, branding
Punishment often kept them from being able to work right away
Caused greater rebellion
Slave Breakers
Used when slaves did not learn lesson
fear, violence and overwork

8. VI. Resistance to Slavery
Day-to-Day Resistance
Quiet acts – pulled down fences, broke tools, damaged crops, snuck food
Avoidance – pretending to be sick, insane, blind
Deadly – fires, poison
Open Defiance
1. Pushed too hard – refusal to work, rejected orders, violence

9. VI. Resistance to Slavery
Running Away
Risks
a) slave-catchers: mauled by dogs, whipped
Methods
Walked by night, hid by day
Boats, trains with fake IDs
Mailed in boxes, coffins
Underground Railroad
Members provided transportation and safe houses
“conductors” risked lives helping slaves travel the “freedom train”
- Harriet Tubman

10. VI. Resistance to Slavery
Rebellion
Denmark Vesey Charleston, SC
Authorities learned of plan to lead revolt
Vesey and 30 slaves arrested and hanged
Nat Turner Virginia
Turner and followers armed with axes and guns set to kill every white person they could find
2 days later – 57 people had been hacked to death

11. VII. Slave Families & Communities
Legal Issues
Slave marriages not recognized therefore slave families did not exist
a) Created own weddings – tradition of jumping the broomstick
Control of children rested with master
Lessons for Children
Silence around whites
Obedience
Respect themselves and members of slave community

12. VIII. Leisure Time Activities
Quilting Bee
Created much needed bedding for family
Quilting Feast & Dance
After sewing was done
Homemade instruments
Sundays
Religion
Recreation – eating, hunting, fishing, dancing, singing, gambling

13. IX. Slave Churches Slaveholder’s Church Invisible Church
Slaves encouraged to attend
Masters read Bible to workers
a) Preached obedience to both heavenly and earthly masters
Invisible Church
Met in slave quarters
Told stories of Moses leading people out of slavery
Sang spirituals expressing desire for freedom

14. X. African American Culture
Songs & Spirituals
Rhythms and harmonies of Africa but speak realities of slavery
Slave Dances
1. Escaped cares, expressed feelings, refreshed spirits
African Legends & Folktales
1. Br’er Rabbit – rabbit always outwits the larger animal (symbolic of slave-master relationship?)