1. Loss of Independence: A Marker of Change In earlier generations, slaves were allowed to maintain their own garden plots, livestock and even tobacco patches— which was often to the relief of their owners. But this privilege was gradually taken away as a matter of productivity and authority. “During the half century following legal enslavement, lawmakers in the Chesapeake region filled their statue books with legislation distinguishing between the rights accorded black and white persons, barring free persons of African descent from the most elemental liberties….the right to employ white servants, hold office, bear arms, muster in the militia, vote.”

2. A Sense of Innate Inferiority We begin to see its first signs in British North American at the beginning of the 18 th century. “Cowardly and cruel are those Blacks Innate Prone to Revenge, Imp of inveterate hate. He that exasperates them, soon espies Mischief and Murder in their very eyes. Libidinous, Deceitful, False and Rude, The Spume Issue of Ingratitude” John Safin, 1701

3. Question #4 So, Why Did It Happen?

4. #1. Rapid Growth of Black Population Virginia 1670 = 5% 1720 = 30% (Between 1675 and 1775: 400,000 Africans Imported)

5. Why the Growth? Natural Increase Harder to Get White Servants Profitability of the Trade (Royal Africa Co.) Dutch Traders Turn North

6. #2 The Barbadian Connection Closing the Religious Loophole

7. #3. Social Unrest Ex. Bacon’s Rebellion, 1676 “Divide and Conquer”

8. Recap, 1670-1700 Was A “Terrible Transformation” in the American System of Slavery and for American Race Relations

9. Question #5 Did Slaves Resist?

10. But As Oppression Picked Up, So Did Resistance Early decades of 1700s a time of many rebellion plots. Major Virginia plots in 1709, 1710, 1722, 1729, 1730, 1731. Evidence that they maintained their African names and certain cultural practices. Feigned Ignorance: “Grabbing the hoe by the bottom and the wheelbarrow by the wheel.” Maroon Societies Temporary Flight

11. Question #6 How Did Slaves Cope?

12. Extended Family Retention of African elements (e.g., names, music, food). Christianity

13. African Americans and Christianity Christianity part of the creolization process Initially, both sides are hesitant to convert the new slaves during the terrible transformation The SPG Effort The Impact of Evangelicalism The Exodus and the Ironies of the New Israel Controversy over the Timing of Conversion

14. Beginnings of the Black Church Increased Confidence =More Runaways An Artisan Class

15. Evolution of Black Images Cosmopolitan Brute Charlatan »Begin wrenching a few more concessions: restored plots (and expanded economy, time to breastfeed and free Sundays, rights to privacy within family life (slave cabins).

16. Elements of an African American Culture Music »Merging: Drums »Contribution: Banjo »Adopting: Horns Language »Merging: Gullah »Contributions: “Sasi” (Mende); “Tota” (Conga) »Adopting: Phyllis Wheatley Food »Retentions: Earthen cookware and Palmetto baskets »Contributions: Yams, peanuts, sesame seeds, shrimp »Merging: Gumbo--Okra, Sassafras

17. "Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land, Taught my benighted soul to understand That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too: Once I redemption neither sought nor knew. Some view our sable race with scornful eye, "Their colour is a diabolic die." Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain, May be refin'd and join th'angelic train.

18. Classroom Considerations Agency v. Victimization Unity v. Diversity