2.7

Slavery in the British Colonies

Overview

  • Topic 2.6 focuses on the institution of slavery as it existed in British Colonies.

Imperial Slave Economy

  • Description of the band of captives driven into slavery.

  • The slave trade was integral to the economic fabric of colonial life.

Scale of Valuation of Slaves

  • Source: "Scale of Valuation of Slaves" from Tyre Glen Papers.

  • Important documents are located at the Rubenstein Library, Duke University, Pennsylvania.

  • Noteworthy historical fact: The first state to abolish slavery was South Carolina.

Control Mechanisms of Slavery

  • Various mechanisms used to control slaves in America and aboard slave ships.

  • Notable conditions during the Middle Passage that exemplified the brutality of the transatlantic slave trade.

Effects of the Slave Trade on Africa

  • Significant reduction of West African populations due to slave raiding.

  • Shift in slave trade dynamics, leading traders to venture deeper into the continent.

  • The societal role of enslaved individuals resulted in cultural and economic depletion in their communities:

    • Loss of potential artisans, traders, philosophers, and skilled laborers.

    • Disruption in community structures, impacting the growth of nation-states.

Gender Imbalance

  • Preference for male slaves led to women being left to rebuild communities.

English Colonial Slavery and Slave Trade

  • Young males were sought after as slaves, with a ratio of 2:1.

  • The Royal African Company dominated the slave trade by replacing the Dutch West India Company.

Demographic Trends in South Carolina

Population Graph Analysis

  • The graph illustrates population trends of blacks and whites in South Carolina from 1700 to 1740.

  • Highlights the establishment of a black majority in the colony.

Agricultural Knowledge Transfer

  • African slaves introduced techniques for raising and hulling rice.

  • Significant for agricultural development in South Carolina and Georgia.

Art and Its Commentary on Slavery

Painting Analysis

  1. Subjects of the painting reflect slaves and slave owners.

  2. The anonymity of the artist suggests the sensitivity surrounding the depicted themes of abuse.

  3. Purpose of the painting: critique the hypocrisy of the slave system and the associated luxuries derived from slavery.

Comparison of Graphics

  • Instructions for comparing graphics related to slavery.

  • Observational insights and inferences about depicted data.

Increasing Slave Population Data

  • By 1860, slavery had spread throughout the South, with a notable black majority.

Colonial Society and Culture

Ethnic Settlement Patterns

  • Depiction of ethnic group settlements in the colonies by 1755, showcasing diversity.

New England’s Freehold Society

Family Dynamics and Gender Roles

  • Women’s roles as subordinate to husbands were emphasized in 18th-century codes of conduct.

  • Rigid social norms led to more prosecutions for women for fornication.

Motherhood and Childbirth

  • Women married young and bore many children, greatly influencing community structure.

  • Child mortality and religious practices were crucial in motherhood experiences.

Restrictions of Women

  • Social norms led to a lack of equality for women.

The Crisis in the Freehold

  • Rapid population growth resulted in smaller family farms and challenges.

  • Consequential effects of high birth rates and land subdivision on New England society.

Education in the Colonies

Colonial Public Schools

  • Early colonial schools primarily served boys but later allowed girls to attend.

  • Curriculum focused on basic education similar to present-day grammar schools.

Higher Education

  • Key institutions established included Harvard and William & Mary, pivotal in colonial education.

Religious Diversity

Religious Makeup by 1750

  • Various denominations coexisted, showcasing religious pluralism in the colonies.

The Great Awakening

Key Features

  • The movement emphasized personal relationships with God.

  • Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield were prominent figures.

Social Contract Theory

Philosophical Foundations

  • Hobbes introduced the idea of the social contract for government legitimacy.

  • Locke's views on government and rights led to significant philosophical discussion.

Enlightenment Influence

Core Principles

  • Emphasis on reason, individual rights, and critique of traditional authority.

  • Impacted views on religion and governance in the colonies.

Ben Franklin and Deism

  • Franklin represents Enlightenment ideals rejecting traditional religious authority.

  • Advocacy for using natural reason as a foundation for morality.

Poor Richard's Almanac

  • Well-known publication featuring practical wisdom and philosophical insights.

The Print Revolution

Cultural and Colonial Identity

  • Reduced censorship led to a surge in publications, fostering a distinct colonial identity.

Transportation Networks

  • Improvements in infrastructure significantly enhanced trade, communication, and cultural exchange from 1700 to 1750.