Chapter 11: The Peculiar Institution

Diligente

A Portuguese slave ship that illegally transported 600 enslaved Africans in 1838.

Atlantic Slave Trade

The international slave trade that was abolished but depended heavily on British naval patrols for enforcement.

Frederick Douglass

Born into slavery in 1818, he escaped and became a leading abolitionist advocating for racial equality.

Peculiar Institution

A term describing slavery in the southern United States after abolition in the North.

Mason-Dixon Line

The boundary dividing free states from slave states in the U.S.

Cotton is King

Refers to cotton's rise as the leading crop produced by enslaved labor, critical for the economy.

Second Middle Passage

The domestic slave trade that expanded after the African slave trade ban, involving over 2 million enslaved people.

Impact of Slavery

Slavery shaped the lives of both Black and white Americans, influencing various societal structures.

Upper South vs. Lower South

Upper South had diversified economies while Lower South was heavily dependent on cotton.

Plantation Owners

Wealthy elites who controlled lands and political power, shaping Southern life.

Paternalism

The philosophy where slaveholders viewed themselves as caretakers of their enslaved people.

Proslavery Argument

Rationale for slavery based on racism, biblical justifications, and fear of abolition.

Abolition in the Americas

The movement to end slavery, significant in many Western Hemisphere nations by the early 19th century.

Slave as Property

The legal status of slaves who had very limited rights and could be sold or punished at owner's discretion.

Celia’s Case

A significant legal case involving a slave woman sentenced to death for killing her master during an assault.

Slave Life Conditions

American slaves had better conditions compared to those in the West Indies, due to geography and economic factors.

Free Blacks in the Old South

Negatively impacted by laws restricting their rights and freedoms, though many formed communities.

Gang System vs. Task System

Two forms of organizing slave labor; one involved continuous work, while one allowed for autonomy.

Urban Slave Labor

Slaves in cities often worked in various trades, sometimes negotiating terms with employers.

Discipline and Punishment

Slaveholders maintained strict control through violence and the threat of sale.

Semi-Independent Culture

A unique culture among slaves focusing on family and church life, preserving self-identity.

Slave Families

Slave communities often formed family units despite the threat of sale disrupting them.

The Threat of Sale

A powerful control tactic used by slaveholders that instilled fear of family separation.

Gender Roles Among Slaves

Men and women shared similar hardships, but their roles differed in domestic and field work.

Slave Religion

Christianity offered hope and inspiration for resistance; distinct beliefs evolved among enslaved people.

Desire for Liberty

A pervasive longing for freedom expressed through culture and oral traditions among slaves.

Forms of Resistance

Included daily acts of defiance, theft, and escape attempts against the system of slavery.

Amistad Incident

The 1839 rebellion aboard the Amistad ship where enslaved Africans sought freedom.

Gabriel's Rebellion

An attempted slave revolt in Virginia in 1800 that heightened fear among the white population.

Nat Turner's Rebellion

A significant slave uprising in 1831 led by Nat Turner, resulting in heightened repression of slaves.

Legal Crackdown

Post rebellion laws aimed at suppressing black rights and freedoms in the South.

Isolation of the South

The increasing insularity and defensive posture of southern society in the face of anti-slavery sentiment.

Economic Value of Slavery

By 1860, the value of enslaved people surpassed the combined value of the entire U.S. industrial economy.

Southern Economy

Characterized by cotton dependency in the Lower South, with limited industrial growth in the region.

Slave Markets and Auctions

Commercial districts where enslaved people were sold; integral to the Southern economy.

Women's Rights Movement

Frederick Douglass was involved in advocating for women’s rights, aligning with his activism for racial equality.

Southern Exceptionalism

The belief held by Southern leaders that their way of life depended on Black slavery.

Cultural Resistance

Slaves expressed their longing for freedom through songs, stories, and spirituals.

Slave Nutrition

American slaves had generally better nutrition, influenced by owners' economic interests.

Legal Restrictions on Slaves

Slaves could not testify, own property, or leave plantations without permission.

Freedmen's Rights

Despite legal status, free blacks faced numerous restrictions and social limitations.

Slave Labor Dynamics

Enslaved people worked long hours under strict conditions on plantations.

Slave Community Roles

Establishment of unique communities among free blacks, often with skilled trades.

Physical Forms of Resistance

Actions such as theft, sabotage, and outright rebellion against plantation owners.

Runaway Strategies

Escape methods varied, including seeking help from abolitionists or using the Underground Railroad.

Great Awakening Influence on Slavery

Religious movements that led to significant conversions among slaves fostering hope and resilience.

Cultural Expressions in Slave Life

Songs and oral stories that reinforced a shared identity and resistance against oppression.

Psychological Impact of Slavery

Fear of family separation shaped the emotional and psychological state of enslaved people.

Disruption of Family Structures

Slave families often faced breakup due to the threat and reality of being sold.

Slaveholder Justifications

Repeated rationalizations of slavery by southern leaders focusing on economic and social stability.

Abolitionist Movement Counterarguments

Abolitionists argued that emancipation led to better living standards and human rights.

Plantation Management Roles

Plantation mistresses often oversaw domestic slaves and managed plantation affairs.

Impact on Southern Values

The planter class shaped the cultural values and governance of the South.

Cultural Significance of Slave Religion

Slave Christianity emphasized liberation themes, often repurposing Biblical messages.

Impact on Black Identity

Despite oppression, slaves maintained a distinct cultural identity influenced by African heritage.

Resistance through Education

Despite legal restrictions, some slaves were educated, contributing to their resistance against slavery.