2.7 - Slavery in the Colonies Colonies

European Immigration to the Colonies

  • Migration patterns shifted between late 1600s and 1700s.

  • Early 1600s: Immigrants sought exploration, mercantilism, or religious freedom.

  • Post-1760: Surge in immigration for religious freedom, aided by communication with colonists.

  • Over 585,000 Europeans immigrated during 1700s; significant groups from Ireland, Scotland, and Germany.

  • Colonial population rose from 250,000 in 1700 to over 2,500,000 by 1775.

Demographics and Assimilation

  • Approximately half of New England's population had non-English origins by 1775.

  • Successful assimilation was largely due to group settlement and resource security.

Development of Slavery

  • Initial African arrivals were indentured servants, not immediate slaves.

  • First blacks in the colonies were indentured servants, later transitioning to slavery.

  • By 1750, over 200,000 slaves existed in colonies, mainly in the South.

  • Southern plantations cultivated crops like rice, tobacco, and cotton, necessitating slave labor.

Slave Codes and Conditions

  • Slave laws increasingly restrictive, disallowing education, weapons ownership, and assembly.

  • Harsh punishments for law violations; many slaves preferred British rule during Revolutionary War.

  • Over 5,000 slaves fought for colonies, leading to emergence of heroic figures.

Population Dynamics

  • By 1800s, over 700,000 slaves in Southern colonies, comprising about one-third of the population.

  • Significant populations: South Carolina had more slaves than whites; Maryland and Virginia were similarly affected.

Impact of the Cotton Gin

  • Cotton gin's invention led to a boom in cotton industry; heightened slave demand.

  • By 1860, approximately 4 million slaves in Southern colonies, over 95% enslaved.

Family and Community Among Slaves

  • Slaves maintained familial and cultural ties despite harsh conditions.

  • Slave owners sometimes facilitated family gatherings but used ties to deter escape attempts.

Resistance and Rebellion

  • Escaping was difficult; some slaves sought freedom through various means, including religious negotiations.

  • Forms of resistance included property destruction, feigned illness, and open disobedience.

  • Notable uprising: Nat Turner’s Revolt in 1831, leading to severe repercussions for participants.