Chapter 11

The Peculiar Institution

The Icon of Frederick Douglass

The Mason-Dixon Line Eve of Civil War – slave population was 4 million Between 1/3 to ½ of population in south British abolished slavery in 1833 “White Gold” created largest slavery society in history ¾ of world’s cotton supply Cotton was ½ of total value of exports Slavery investment exceed factories, railroads and banks

The Old South & Cotton

“importing” still done in lower South Selling at public slave markets or courthouses (2 million) Determined location, work, civil liberties for all North benefited from cotton production (trade) “Lords of the Loom” and “Lords of the Lash” Southern cities were financial – loan to buy slaves/land Short railway lines New Orleans leading exporter of slave crops (40% of pop.

were immigrants South produced only 10% manufactured goods

Slavery, Economy, & The Nation

1820

1860

Cotton Exports

3 of 4 white southerners did NOT own slaves Most lived in hilly areas on poor land Desperately poor, self-sufficient No market for manufactured goods no need for industry Why support Planters’ cause to save slavery?

shared racism and kinship shared loyalty to South in face of criticism apart of the system – returning runaways

Southern Society

Less than 40,000 owned +20 slaves that made them “planters” Controlled politics and public life Owning slaves = wealth, status, influence Held most land (15,000 acres), had highest income, and

dominated govt Slave price – about $40,000 today Often invested in industry “Plantation mistress” – cared for sick, ran house, directed servants Took summer vacations “Paternalism”: idea that master had to care for dependents, act

as protector, counselor, provide care masked and justified brutality few tried to “improve” slaves

“A man loves his children because they are weak, helpless, and dependent. He loves his wife for similar reasons.”

Planter Class

“most safe and stable basis for free institutions in the

world” White Supremacy: belief that blacks were innately

inferior to whites and unsuited for free life Used bible passages, referred to ancient Greece & Rome Need it to cultivate arts & sciences Best way to have equality for whites better than wage

labor in North Slavery keeps whites independent which is necessary for

citizenship

Proslavery

Claimed the DOI was a “dangerous political error” Freedom was a privilege not an entitlement Obedience was a “fundamental law” to human existenceGeorge Fitzhugh In history slavery was “normal and natural” – liberty is an

experiment Slavery – “community of interest” Slaves are “the happiest, freest people in the world” Writers, editors, politicians, clergy in South supported

system

Slavery, Liberty, and Civilization

Few rights Illegal to kill a slave except in self-defense Accused slaves were given a day in court with white judges/juries Could be sold/leased at any time No voice in govt, could not testify, sign contracts, own property/firearms,

hold unsupervised meetings, or travel. It was illegal to teach a slave to read/write Enforcement depended on owners Alabama – every life choice was judged by master Missouri – Celia’s case

declared Celia was not a woman but a “slave” sentenced to death postponed so the owner would not be deprived of new “property”

Slaves and the Law

Some had laws ensuring proper treatment Could have their own “mini-farm” or stole from plantation Paternalism and growing price made it more logical to keep

slaves healthy Strict laws on voluntary emancipation 500,000 free mostly in South – little differences Could not…

act in public or own dogs, weapons, liquorhit a white person even in self-defensetestify in court or serve on juries

had to carry a certificate of freedom if they needed public aid they had to labor for it Many states expelled free blacks

Conditions of Life & Free Blacks

Early Emancipation

Lower South – very few freemen Mixed communities in New Orleans, Charleston Some of mixed race became slave owners Many became educated skilled craftsmen Elite blacks tried to maintain separation Many worked in upper south as farm laborers (many worked with

slaves) Many purchased their wives/children but could not free them (had to

leave the state)

Upper & Lower South

Diverse jobs – butlers, waitresses, nurse, gardener, carpenters, engineers, cooks, weavers

Cut wood, tended docks, laid railways, build govt buildings 200,000 worked in industry Skilled and unskilled in lower south – many rented slaves 75% of women 90% of men worked in fields “Overseer” – extreme brutality, “gang labor” Rice plantations – self-run, leisure time (malaria) City slaves – more domestic jobs, could “hire their own

time” Harsh punishment at mercy of owner Exploited divisions in field/house hands, incentive systems Threat of sale

Slave Labor

Working in a sugar-boiling house

Slave Culture & Family created family & religious centered communities, strong music/dance own system of herbal medicine law did not recognize slave marriage, but population naturally increased named children after relatives sale of slaves made women heads of house more common 10% of teens were sold in upper south some allowed marriage, others only cared if children were able to work “equality of powerlessness” men could not protect wives/children more traditional roles in places where they had free time

Religion & Liberty Usually Baptist or Methodist most plantations had their own black preacher (not educated) some had biracial congregations free blacks in North est. their own churches Used preaching as a form of social control over slaves secret nigh time gathering, “praise meetings” Slaves identified themselves with the chosen people, God would free in time glorified folklore that had the weak outsmarting the strong constant them of drive for freedom

Resistance day to day was most common – “silent resistance” – breaking tools, disrupting routine, abusing animals faked illness, stole food arson, poisoning, armed assault Fugitives – little knowledge of land, use of North Star, 1,000 per year Sometimes headed South to blend with free communities Everglades – protection from Seminoles only 25% tried to reach North Underground RR, Harriet Tubman (Maryland) – made 20 trips back

The Amistad 1839, 53 slaves took control of the ship and tried to force it to Africa was seized off the coast of Long Island by an American vessel JQA, supreme court justice, declared them free as they were taken from Africa in violation of the slave trade laws inspired other revolts The Creole, seized by 135 slaves in 1841 and forced to the British Bahamas where they were given refuge

Slave Revolts 200-500 men and women outside of New Orleans used knives, axes, guns, clubs, marched toward city destroying property intercepted by militia, 66 killed, remaining executed 1822 Denmark Vesey – preached the bible did not support slavery Vesey rebuked blacks who gave way to walking whites

Nat Turner’s Rebellion Preacher from Virginia, claimed a vision from God Aug. 22, 1831, 80 joined Marched town to town assaulting white women/children (60

killed) Turner captured and with 17 others killed Regret? “Was not Christ crucified?” Panic resulted, many beaten or executed Questioned whether slavery should be ended 1832 harsher laws, prohibited preaching, owning firearms,

and reading Huge repression of free speech of abolitionists