Slavery in the British Colonies

Slave trade was a result of a:

  • Demand for labor

  • Abundance of land

  • Growing colonial market

The use of slaves varied reflecting on regional differences in:

  • Economy

  • Agriculture

  • Society

For Example

  1. Small New England farms used few slaves and focused on local trade and subsistence farming.

  2. Port cities had slaves as skilled tradesman or domestic servants

  3. Plantation systems used high numbers of slaves to harvest cash crops

Most slaves were sent to the West Indies where they harvested sugar.

Chattel Slavery

Enslaved individuals were considered to be property and denied any human rights.

The Chattel Slavery system led to racial hierarchy in the south.

Racial Hierarchy was reinforced with new laws that controlled the lives of enslaved people

Ex): Prohibited Interracial Relations

Ex): Codified status of the offspring of enslaved peoples.

Virginia slave codes laid the foundation for this law.

Slave Culture

Despite the oppression slaves tried to preserve their cultural identities, family structures, and religious practices.

  1. Rebel

  2. Escape

  3. Sabotage

Ex); Stono Rebellion

Covert Resistance is a subtle form of defiance

  • Slow Work

  • Fake Sick

  • Culture (in secret)

The culture led to a unique African American Culture. (Maroon Society)