Chapter 11 Slavery and the Old South Nash, Jeffery. The American People, 6 th ed. Pearson Longman. Nash, Jeffery. The American People, 6 th ed. Pearson.

Chapter 11Chapter 11Slavery and the Old Slavery and the Old SouthSouth

Nash, Jeffery. Nash, Jeffery. The American PeopleThe American People, 6, 6thth ed. Pearson Longman. ed. Pearson Longman. <http://wps.ablongman.com/long_nash_ap_6/9/2316/592970.cw/index.html><http://wps.ablongman.com/long_nash_ap_6/9/2316/592970.cw/index.html>

I.I. Building a Diverse Cotton Building a Diverse Cotton KingdomKingdom

The Expansion of Slavery in The Expansion of Slavery in a Global Economya Global Economy

In 1860 the American South, if In 1860 the American South, if independent, would have been one of the independent, would have been one of the wealthiest countries in the world based wealthiest countries in the world based on the revenue of the cotton trade.on the revenue of the cotton trade.

Cotton cultivation and its expansion Cotton cultivation and its expansion depended on technological development, depended on technological development, land, labor, demand, and a global system land, labor, demand, and a global system of trade.of trade.

Slavery in Latin AmericaSlavery in Latin America Europeans depended on African slavery Europeans depended on African slavery

in their New World colonies.in their New World colonies. African slaves were imported to replace African slaves were imported to replace

the indigenous populations that were the indigenous populations that were eradicated by disease.eradicated by disease.

Sugar production was the cash crop for Sugar production was the cash crop for the Latin American holdings of the the Latin American holdings of the European powers.European powers.

White and Black Migrations White and Black Migrations in the Southin the South Between 1830 and 1860, southerners Between 1830 and 1860, southerners

began to migrate in a southwest direction began to migrate in a southwest direction to fill up the fertile land and increase to fill up the fertile land and increase cotton production for the mills of England.cotton production for the mills of England.

The center of cotton production gradually The center of cotton production gradually shifted from South Carolina to Mississippi.shifted from South Carolina to Mississippi.

An estimated 1 million slaves were An estimated 1 million slaves were transported westward by this white transported westward by this white migration.migration.

Paternalism and Honor in Paternalism and Honor in the Planter Classthe Planter Class Most Southern males adhered to a long-Most Southern males adhered to a long-

standing tradition of medieval chivalry and standing tradition of medieval chivalry and aversion to industrialization.aversion to industrialization.

The Southern planters developed a The Southern planters developed a paternalistic attitude towards his slaves; a paternalistic attitude towards his slaves; a kindly father-and-child relationship.kindly father-and-child relationship.

An intensely masculine code of honor placed An intensely masculine code of honor placed the virtue of women on a pedestal.the virtue of women on a pedestal.

The smallest insult could lead to pistol duels.The smallest insult could lead to pistol duels.

Yeoman FarmersYeoman Farmers

Most slaveholders (70 percent) belonged Most slaveholders (70 percent) belonged to the mid-level yeoman farmer class.to the mid-level yeoman farmer class.

A Yeoman farmer might have owned as A Yeoman farmer might have owned as many as ten slaves, but usually work many as ten slaves, but usually work alongside them.alongside them.

75 percent of all southerners held no 75 percent of all southerners held no slaves at all.slaves at all.

Justifying SlaveryJustifying Slavery

Biblical Justification:Biblical Justification: ancient curse upon Ham, a child ancient curse upon Ham, a child of Noah and other referencesof Noah and other references

Historical Justification:Historical Justification: all great civilizations all great civilizations participated in slaveryparticipated in slavery

Legal Justification:Legal Justification: the U.S. Constitution refused to the U.S. Constitution refused to address slavery directlyaddress slavery directly

Scientific Justification:Scientific Justification: multiple theories regarding multiple theories regarding inferiority of the black raceinferiority of the black race

Sociological Justification:Sociological Justification: the black race as societal the black race as societal “children” that needed paternalistic guidance“children” that needed paternalistic guidance

Daily ToilDaily Toil Slaves were expected to work an average Slaves were expected to work an average

of 14 hours per day during warm weather of 14 hours per day during warm weather and 10 hours in the winter.and 10 hours in the winter.

Work gangs of 20 to 25 slaves labored Work gangs of 20 to 25 slaves labored under the whip of a “slave driver.”under the whip of a “slave driver.”

The task system allowed slaves to finish a The task system allowed slaves to finish a designated task each day at their own designated task each day at their own pace.pace.

A normal slave was expected to pick 130 A normal slave was expected to pick 130 to 150 pounds of cotton a day.to 150 pounds of cotton a day.

Slave Law and the FamilySlave Law and the Family

The legal status of slaves in the South The legal status of slaves in the South was never fully resolved, leading to a was never fully resolved, leading to a wide range of laws governing the wide range of laws governing the treatment of African Americans.treatment of African Americans.

Marriages between slaves were often Marriages between slaves were often arranged for optimal genetic arranged for optimal genetic reproduction.reproduction.

Slave families were often separated.Slave families were often separated.

Black ChristianityBlack Christianity Christian worship was an integral part of Christian worship was an integral part of

life in the slave quarters.life in the slave quarters. Black Christianity often included aspects Black Christianity often included aspects

of Islamic and African religions.of Islamic and African religions. Black religious gatherings were usually Black religious gatherings were usually

forbidden unless a white overseer was forbidden unless a white overseer was present.present.

For the white planters, religion became a For the white planters, religion became a type of social control.type of social control.

The Enduring FamilyThe Enduring Family

Family relationships were central to the Family relationships were central to the lives of most slaves.lives of most slaves.

Slaves could draw love, protection, Slaves could draw love, protection, support, knowledge, and cultural identity support, knowledge, and cultural identity from these extended families.from these extended families.

Slaves often performed extra work to Slaves often performed extra work to provide extra food and clothing for their provide extra food and clothing for their families.families.

Forms of Black ProtestForms of Black Protest Daily acts of resistance might include Daily acts of resistance might include

breaking of tools, burning houses or breaking of tools, burning houses or crops, stealing food, self mutilation or crops, stealing food, self mutilation or simple work slowdowns.simple work slowdowns.

Females might fake sickness or Females might fake sickness or menstrual cramps.menstrual cramps.

The ultimate forms were murder or The ultimate forms were murder or running away.running away.