Slavery & Society1800-1860

How did the domestic slave trade function?

Slave tradeWhat does the account of a slave auction reveal about the mindset of slave-owning whites?

Sales“product” promoted

How was power distributed in southern white society?

Slaves were “chattels personal”• The law upheld this concept ie: Dred Scott v Sandford (1857)

• Business concepts applied to slavery—read “inventory” (1849)

• Thus…Class and status could be improved by owning slaves

In defense of slavery..But as a “necessary evil,” slavery could not be abolished precipitously, for if it were the South

would be plunged into chaos. (McPherson, p. 49-50)

This justification was also predicated on the beliefs that:

The opportunities that the American society had to offer encouraged free men to pursue their own

interests–to strike out on their own.

The Dual Cultures of the Planter Elite• Approx 3000 planter elite families• Two Groups•Planter aristocrats of Old South•Market-driven entrepreneurs

• Aristocratic Heritage distinguished Southerners from Northerners

• Tobacco v. Cotton farmers• Entrepreneurial v. aristocratic • Gang Labor

Planters, Small-holding Yeoman & Tenants• 1830- 36% of Southerners owned

slaves….1860-25% did• Regional variation of slave ownership[What do these statistics reveal…]• Richest planter families—20+ slaves (5%

of pop)• Middle-class planters, owned 40% of slave

pop.• Worked as artisans and professionals as

well• Small holders—1-5 slaves each

• Worked along side slaves• Poorest Southerners more nomadic

How did African Americans express spirituality during the slavery era?

Evangelical Black Protestantism

Second Great Awakening

African Traditions in Protestantism

• Chants• “ring shouts”• Religion as escape• Religion as unifier

Nat Turner’s RebellionPetitions v. Revolt

• Split Abolitionist cause

• Nat Turner educ. Himself

• Religious vision• W/Relatives killed 55

white men, women and children

• Whites took revenge….• Virginia Legis. Deeply

concerned

Slave Rebellion 1831

Slave Songs

• Provide hope, solidarity

• Combination of African heritage, religious hymns

• Form of passive resistance

• against those slave owners seeking to “break the spirit”

Songs promote freedom

• When the Sun comes backAnd the first quail callsFollow the Drinking Gourd,For the old man is a-waiting for to carry you to freedomIf you follow the Drinking Gourd

What were some of the aspects of slave society and culture?

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Family

Richmond Slaves-language-African culture-

By 1820, most slaves born in AmericaNote euro. features…intermarriage

Creating family•Marriages common but not accepted by society (courts did not uphold marriages so slaves could be sold separately)• Constructing families by “adopting” older, unrelated slaves• Common heritage despite domestic slave trade which resulted in separation

What challenges and opportunities did free blacks face?

Former slave….

Negotiating rights• Favored escape over rebellion• African-American passive resistance• Reduction of violence by masters• Increased use of positive incentives as control• Tasks for free time

Struggles in the North• Most whites viewed blacks as inferior• Whites confined blacks to menial, lower paying

jobs• Only a few states permitted free black men to:

• Vote, attend public schools, sit next to Whites in Church

• Federal government also forbade equal rights for Blacks• Free blacks could be re-enslaved if w/out

papers

Defiance of Social Norms• Few blacks amassed wealth or distinction• Prominent blacks formed organizations

• Churches• Orphanages• Social organizations• Business organizations

• Free southern blacks were mostly artisans• Though some free blacks entered white society,

most helped fugitive slaves, plotted insurrections, entered black politics or worked for social ascension

Additional Resources• Video re-enactment:

Harriet Beecher Stowe at auction