Conditions of Slavery

1
Conditions of Slavery

• Lived in crude quarters that left them exposed to
  bad weather and disease.
• Diets consisted of cornmeal and salt pork.
• The weather conditions of the South made health
  problems like yellow fever, dysentery, and
  malaria common.
• Slave codes reinforced the concept that slaves
  were property and prevented slaves from having
  any rights.

2
Slave Quarters
3
The Big House
4
Slave Punishment

• Slaves were punished for not working fast, being
  late, talking back, running away, and other
  reasons.
• Slave punishment included whippings, torture,
  mutilation, imprisonment, the threat of abusing a
  loved one and being sold away.

5
Forms of Slave Punishment
6
Slave Resistance

• Slaves worked slowly, broke tools, faked illness
  and destroyed crops.
• Many stole livestock, food, or valuables, burned
  buildings or killed their masters.
• They pursed education! Learning to read is a
  powerful tool!

7
Routes of the Underground Railroad
8
Gabriel Prossers Rebellion

• Gabriel Prosser plans the first major slave
  rebellion.
• Gabriel wanted to create an independent black
  state in Virginia on August 30, 1800.
• Gabriel and 26 of his companions are hanged.

9
Denmark Vesseys Rebellion

• Minister who plans rebellion with over 1,000
  members.
• Informant betrays revolt. Most faced deportations
  and hangings.
• South is paranoid about slave revolts and Slave
  Laws.

10
Nat Turners Rebellion

• Nat Turner claimed to have visions and was
  ordered by God to rebel.
• In August 1831, led a revolt in which 57 men,
  women and children are hacked to death.
• The rebellion causes the South to pass strict
  Slave Codes.