United States Advanced Placement… Down So LongIn what ways did Southern society resemble feudal Europe? What are some philosophical arguments for the use of slavery?

The Southern Way of Life: Slavery Early Colonial roots- slavery dying out

until the establishment of staple cash crops: need for cheap labor.

Lack of a free society for African Americans- most were enslaved.

Division of society based on money and race.

White Social Hierarchy of the South Plantation owners- slave owners Cotton belt- Planter society (20 or more

slaves) Yeomen farmers- upcountry: owned few

or no slaves. Yet- numerically and geographically,

planters were an extreme minority

Black Social Hierarchy of the South Freed blacks (6%) House slaves vs. field hands Skilled labor vs. unskilled labor

Life of a slave Ken Burn’s: All night forever. Unlike the Caribbean, most slaves lived

near their master and were monitored (little black autonomy)

Used physical (beatings, torture) and psychological (the church, education) tools to reaffirm white supremacy.

Daily Life Generally outnumbered whites by a vast

majority Worked in “gangs” from sunup to sundown-

year round Oversaw by the drivers (sometimes black) Women worked with babies in tow Depending on the size and crop- work varied

(task system for rice; harshest being the sugar cultivation)

Some breaks a louted, Sunday’s were given off

Daily Life Continued ¾ were field workers but others built

buildings, constructed boats, worked as house servants etc.

Generally the highest status were given to those who were preachers and healers

Some worked in the underground economy- growing food on the side or working overtime- purchase their own freedom.

Slave Family Marriage- if lucky- could last 20 years. Encouraged marital fidelity “To death or distance” Could use breakup as a bargaining piece

for compliance Upper South- slave trading was frequent Strong familial ties- through generations

African American Religion Unifying body- religion was encouraged. Combination of African tribal culture and Christianity Organized outside of white Congregations. African Methodist Episcopal Church True worship occurred at night without white

oversight African tribal call & response- less sin and more

rejoice and affirmation of joy Emphasis on redemption and freedom from biblical

versus- Israelites (premonition of freedom to come) Became an organizational body for African AMericans

Rebellion 1800-1831 Gabriel Prosser’s rebellion 1800 (disrupted by

weather) 1811 Louisiana slave revolt- needed

hundreds of troops to stop 1822- Denmark Vesey- organized a potential

revolt to seize Federal arsenals. Virginian raids by ex-slaves or runaways

throughout the antebellum period 1831- Nat Turner’s rebellion 1836-1841- Second Seminole War

Underground Railroad Most participated in running away… “Lying out period”- then return Travel North and South. Others stowed away aboard ships Used their light skin or received help

from the Underground Railroad.

Passive Resistance Unproductive or slow in the work Stealing Sabotage Poisoning

Reactions Slave Codes: No reading, preaching No weapons Marriages not recognized Curfews & passes Vagrancy laws Fugitive Slave Law

Nat Turner Read the segment on Nat Turner…

discussion to follow!