Slavery 101

Atlantic Slave Trade

The transatlantic trading system where Africans were taken as slaves to the Americas.

Plantation

Large agricultural estates where slaves worked, primarily in the Southern regions.

Overseer

A person hired by plantation owners to manage slave labor.

Cash Crops

Crops produced for commercial value, such as cotton, rice, tobacco, and indigo.

House Slave vs Field Slave

House slaves performed duties inside the home, while field slaves worked outdoors in agricultural tasks.

Broom Jumping

An African tradition practiced in slave marriages to symbolize commitment.

Middling Slaves

Slaves in the Middle Colonies who worked skilled trades and had more rights.

Abolitionists

Individuals who advocated for the end of slavery and supported escaped slaves.

Legal Status of Slave Marriage

Slave marriages were not legally recognized and were considered committed relationships.

Slave Literacy

Slaves were prohibited from learning to read and write, facing severe penalties if caught.