Slavery: Demographics, Economics and the Constitution Terms Chattel Antebellum Manumission Abolitionism Sectionalism The peculiar institution Triangle Trade -Trade route linking Europe, Africa and the Americas -Slaves one of products exchanged Destination of Slaves Caribbean 4 million - Brazil 3.6 million - Spanish South America545,000 -United States480,000 (5%) -Mexico200,000 Slave Populations Conditions generally better in N. America Life expectancy for slaves in Brazil 23 years In U.S., 35 years ( for whites, 39 years) Led to greater natural population growth in U.S. By 1825, 36% of slaves in Americas were in U.S. Slave trade continues to U.S. until 1808, to other parts of Americas (illegally) to 1860s Slavery in the United States 1776, approximately 10% of slaves in North New York 20,000, New Jersey 10,000 Why fewer slaves in North than South? -Economics (agriculture) -Attitudes (though not unanimous) -1646, Puritan leaders in New England termed man- stealing a sin -New York Herald (1835) [S]lavery in the South is no evil it is a positive good. Southern Incentive: King Cotton 1600s-late 1700s, tobacco was incentive for slave holding Cotton gin brings new incentive after 1793 Cleaned debris out of cotton more efficiently Cotton production up 800% in one decade Slaves used to plant and pick cotton Cotton eventually 60% of U.S. exports South accounted for 88% of Worlds supply Slavery in the South By 1860, 4 million slaves in South 1/3 rd of total population of South (12 million) Highest in S. Carolina, Mississippi (55-57%), Louisiana, Alabama, Florida Georgia (43-47%) Most white Southerners (75%) didnt own slaves Less than 1% owned more than 100 slaves Slavery and the law U.S. Constitution: For purposes of rep, slaves counted for 3/5 th of a person (Article I, Section 2) Importation could not be banned until 1808 (AI,S9) Fugitive Slaves (A4, S2) Laws in the South: the power of the master must be absolute, to render the submission of the slave perfect. N.C. Chief Justice Thomas Ruffin, Stave v. Mann (1829) Slave Ship Brookes Slave Ship Brookes Olaudah Equiano Wrote autobiography in 1793 British end slave trade in 1807 Abolish slavery in 1833