Slavery as a Cause

As rice, corn, tobacco, and mainly cotton became major cash crops slaves became more needed in the South. Slaves would represent wealth and many non-slave owners strived to join the privileged ranks by buying slaves. Up to 100 slaves would work on one large plantation, as either field slaves who planted, tended, and harvested or as house servants who were butlers, coach men, or housekeepers. Field slaves worked all day and in danger of mosquitoes, infested water, and other hazards. The slaves lived in small, crowded cabins on the plantation and had very poor diets. They could not be married, however owners encouraged it because the children would increase the work force. Since most slaves couldn't read their masters would emphasize parts of the bible about obedience and use this to have more power. Slaves who disobeyed their masters could be whipped or killed depending on the crime. Some would steal food, work slow, and pretend to be sick as resistance but, if the master figured this out he could punish them in any way. There were high rewards for any fugitive slaves found and only few slaves ever managed to escape safely. Additionally, besides the harsh treatment Georgia had very strict slave codes. Some of the rules include not being able to teach a slave to read or write unless the owners pay money, all slave crimes are considered felonies, and only an owner can be found guilty for hurting a slave. Also, no slaves could testify in court. The bitter ways southern plantation owners treated their slaves caused some Northern people to realize and it unjust and they disagreed with slavery. This is how crude treatment of slaves caused controversy in between the North and South (which later lead to the civil war).

Pictures:
1.http://zmblackhistorymonth2012.blogspot.com/2012/02/underground-railroad-escape-to-freedom.html
2.http://www.college.columbia.edu/cct/jan_feb11/columbia_forum
3.http://www.nps.gov/liho/historyculture/slavery.htm
4.http://www.understandingrace.org/history/society/resisting_slavery.html

Slave Spirituals

Slaves would recite traditional African songs and dances as a form of hope and belief. However, after a while these songs were banned by ministers because they saw it as a form of resistance. The procedure started by first gathering in a ring. Then after the music started they would move in a circle and start humming words. They would keep moving quickly repeating the same words for up to an hour.

I’M SO GLAD TROUBLE DON’T LAST ALWAYS

I’m so glad trouble don’t last always
O my Lord, O my Lord, what shall I do ?

Christ tol’ the blind man
To go to the pool and bathe
O my Lord, O my Lord, what shall I do ?

Christ tol’ Nicodemus
He must be born again
O my Lord, O my Lord, what shall I do ?