Antebellum SlaveryAntebellum Slavery

Why did the institution of slavery command the Why did the institution of slavery command the loyalty of the vast majority of ante-bellum whites, loyalty of the vast majority of ante-bellum whites, despite the fact that only a small percentage of despite the fact that only a small percentage of them owned slaves? (73)them owned slaves? (73)

Slavery was the dominating reality of all Slavery was the dominating reality of all southern life. Assess the validity of this southern life. Assess the validity of this generalization for TWO of the following aspects generalization for TWO of the following aspects of southern life from about 1840 to 1860: of southern life from about 1840 to 1860: political, social, economic, and intellectual life. political, social, economic, and intellectual life. (84) (84)

Analyze the ways in which supporters of slavery Analyze the ways in which supporters of slavery in the nineteenth century used legal, religious, in the nineteenth century used legal, religious, and economic arguments to defend the and economic arguments to defend the institution of slavery. (95) institution of slavery. (95)

I. Historical Debate Over SlaveryI. Historical Debate Over Slavery

Extremely complex system, diff. to generalize: blind men + the Extremely complex system, diff. to generalize: blind men + the elephantelephant

What region, what product, scale of production, type of labor What region, what product, scale of production, type of labor (house or field)(house or field)

1 in 8 slaves not used in ag: towns + cities, hiring out, skilled 1 in 8 slaves not used in ag: towns + cities, hiring out, skilled crafts, factoriescrafts, factories

3 Main competing views3 Main competing views 1) civilizing force (slavery as 1) civilizing force (slavery as

school): first held by slave school): first held by slave owners, but then picked up by owners, but then picked up by black leader (and former slave) black leader (and former slave) Booker T. WashingtonBooker T. Washington

2) Concentration camp 2) Concentration camp (abolitionists): obliterated slave (abolitionists): obliterated slave identityidentity Sambo (racist Sambo (racist implications)implications)

3) Site of oppression 3) Site of oppression andand Af-Am Af-Am identity: crucial to creation identity: crucial to creation distinctive black culturedistinctive black culture

II. Slave LaborII. Slave Labor

Issue of scale: 1850 typical slave exp. on large Issue of scale: 1850 typical slave exp. on large farm w/10+ slaves (75%)farm w/10+ slaves (75%)

50% on plantations 20+ (remember why?)50% on plantations 20+ (remember why?) Tricky point: opposite of white exp. of slaveryTricky point: opposite of white exp. of slavery

Masters required hard labor (begin kids age 5 or Masters required hard labor (begin kids age 5 or 6)6)

11 or 12: work fields (w/ parents): majority 11 or 12: work fields (w/ parents): majority remained in fields until too oldremained in fields until too old

Old women care for children (white + black), old Old women care for children (white + black), old men care for livestockmen care for livestock

A. Field SlavesA. Field Slaves

Work “from sun to sun”Work “from sun to sun”Often sex-segregated work gangs, but Often sex-segregated work gangs, but

women in fields as wellwomen in fields as wellRacism of slavery: white women not to work in Racism of slavery: white women not to work in

fields (even poorest tried to keep out)fields (even poorest tried to keep out)Masters thought slaves racially lazyMasters thought slaves racially lazy

overseers/drivers to force laboroverseers/drivers to force labor physical physical punishmentpunishmentSlaves had no incentive to workSlaves had no incentive to work

B. House SlavesB. House Slaves 1 or 2 slaves out of 101 or 2 slaves out of 10 90% of those women: cook, clean, care 90% of those women: cook, clean, care

infantsinfants Fascinating: young whites intimate contact Fascinating: young whites intimate contact

w/blacks (as “authority” figure), then had to w/blacks (as “authority” figure), then had to learn racism and superioritylearn racism and superiority

Advantage of house: better rations, Advantage of house: better rations, lighter physical work, better lighter physical work, better accommodationsaccommodations

BUT: constant surveillance + bore brunt BUT: constant surveillance + bore brunt white rage (esp. mistresseswhite rage (esp. mistresses fear/knowledge of interracial sex, fear/knowledge of interracial sex, inability to control husbands)inability to control husbands) Some (many) openly wished to go into Some (many) openly wished to go into

fieldsfields live in slave quarters live in slave quarters

The Coon and the DogThe Coon and the Dog

““Every time I think of slavery and if it done the race Every time I think of slavery and if it done the race any good, I think of the story of the coon and any good, I think of the story of the coon and dog who met. The coon said to the dog, ‘Why is dog who met. The coon said to the dog, ‘Why is it you’re so fat and I am so poor, and we is both it you’re so fat and I am so poor, and we is both animals?’ The dog said ‘I lay round Master’s animals?’ The dog said ‘I lay round Master’s house and let him kick me and he gives me a house and let him kick me and he gives me a piece of bread right on.’ Said the coon to the piece of bread right on.’ Said the coon to the dog: ‘Better, then, that I stay poor.’ Them’s my dog: ‘Better, then, that I stay poor.’ Them’s my sentiment. I’m like the coon, I don’t believe in sentiment. I’m like the coon, I don’t believe in ‘buse.”‘buse.”

III. Life in the QuartersIII. Life in the QuartersA. SpaceA. Space

Only few hundred yards from Big House, butOnly few hundred yards from Big House, but privacy + separateness privacy + separateness (whites didn’t want to constantly survey)(whites didn’t want to constantly survey)

Crude buildings, but central/primary physical locale: slaves ceased to be Crude buildings, but central/primary physical locale: slaves ceased to be primarily slavesprimarily slaves took on more natural roles (family, music, religion) took on more natural roles (family, music, religion)

Community + culture of their ownCommunity + culture of their own enables survival in face of brutal + enables survival in face of brutal + degrading systemdegrading system

Usually ½ day Sat and Usually ½ day Sat and full day Sunfull day Sun personal personal chores, visiting, hunting, chores, visiting, hunting, hire selves out, etc.hire selves out, etc.

Some space, literal and Some space, literal and metaphorical, outside metaphorical, outside slaveryslavery

Irony: fed white Irony: fed white hegemonyhegemony: system of : system of control w/less need for control w/less need for violenceviolence give slaves give slaves enough space so that enough space so that they control they control themselvesthemselves tolerate tolerate system to protect what system to protect what little them havelittle them have

B. Expression of SelfB. Expression of Self

Most important: developed forms self-Most important: developed forms self-expressionexpression psychological coping: songs, psychological coping: songs, stories, etc.stories, etc. Important source for slave perspective: Important source for slave perspective:

literacy illegalliteracy illegal few written documents few written documentsAccounts of oppression, slave anger, desire Accounts of oppression, slave anger, desire

for freedom + vengeance, slave heroes, for freedom + vengeance, slave heroes, satirical songssatirical songs

By 1850s: the Blues + By 1850s: the Blues + circumlocution (talking circumlocution (talking around things)around things)

Enabled free expression w/o Enabled free expression w/o fear of reprisal: could fear of reprisal: could appearappear happy/compliant + still happy/compliant + still express discontentexpress discontent Wearing a “mask” w/whites, Wearing a “mask” w/whites,

take off when w/blackstake off when w/blacks

PompeyPompeyPompey, how do I look?Pompey, how do I look?O, massa, mightyO, massa, mightyWhat do you mean “mighty,” Pompey?What do you mean “mighty,” Pompey?Why, massa, you look noble.Why, massa, you look noble.What do you mean by “noble”?What do you mean by “noble”?Why, sar, you just look like one Why, sar, you just look like one lionlion..Why, Pompey, where have you ever seen a lion?Why, Pompey, where have you ever seen a lion?I see one down in yonder field the other day, massa.I see one down in yonder field the other day, massa.Pompey, you foolish fellow, that was a Pompey, you foolish fellow, that was a jackassjackass..Was it, massa? Well you look just like him.Was it, massa? Well you look just like him.

MalitisMalitis““They was seven hogs, fat and ready for fall hog-killing time. They was seven hogs, fat and ready for fall hog-killing time.

Just the day before Old master told off they was to be killed, Just the day before Old master told off they was to be killed, something happened to all them porkers…something happened to all them porkers…

The masters asks: ‘What’s the illness with ‘em?’The masters asks: ‘What’s the illness with ‘em?’‘‘Malitis,’ [the slaves] tells him, and they acts like they don’t Malitis,’ [the slaves] tells him, and they acts like they don’t

want to touch the hogs… He says to keep all the meat for want to touch the hogs… He says to keep all the meat for the slave families, but that’s because he’s afraid to eat it the slave families, but that’s because he’s afraid to eat it hisself account of the hogs’ got malitis.hisself account of the hogs’ got malitis.

‘‘Don’t you all know what is malitis?’ Mammy would ask the Don’t you all know what is malitis?’ Mammy would ask the children when she was telling of the seven fat hogs and children when she was telling of the seven fat hogs and seventy lean slaves…seventy lean slaves…

[A strong slave w/ a mallet] tapped Mister Hog ‘tween the eyes [A strong slave w/ a mallet] tapped Mister Hog ‘tween the eyes with the mallet, ‘malitis’ set in mighty quick, but it was a with the mallet, ‘malitis’ set in mighty quick, but it was a uncommon ‘disease,’ even with hungry Negroes around all uncommon ‘disease,’ even with hungry Negroes around all the time.”the time.”

IV. Family LifeIV. Family Life 1965: 1965: The Negro Family: The Case for National The Negro Family: The Case for National

ActionAction (Moynihan Report): black (Moynihan Report): black “matriarchy”/broken families historical effect of “matriarchy”/broken families historical effect of slavery harming modern black society and slavery harming modern black society and cultureculture

Historians now think black family v. important Historians now think black family v. important institution despite restrictions/oddsinstitution despite restrictions/odds

How? 1) white masters encouraged “marriage” + How? 1) white masters encouraged “marriage” + families: a) morality, b) encouraged families: a) morality, b) encouraged reproduction, c) stabilized quartersreproduction, c) stabilized quarters Most runaways young, single menMost runaways young, single men

Far more: 2) blacks committed to Far more: 2) blacks committed to institution: long lasting relationships (most institution: long lasting relationships (most often broken by death)often broken by death)

Although also broken by sale: 1820-1860: Although also broken by sale: 1820-1860: 300,000 marriages broken by sale300,000 marriages broken by sale ““Weeping Time”: March 1857, Savannah, GA: Weeping Time”: March 1857, Savannah, GA:

436 slaves sold in single racetrack auction 436 slaves sold in single racetrack auction After CW slaves sought each other out across After CW slaves sought each other out across

great distances (T. Morrison, great distances (T. Morrison, BelovedBeloved))Majority children raised 2 parent house in Majority children raised 2 parent house in

home w/single familyhome w/single familySome fathers on diff. plantations, but Some fathers on diff. plantations, but

surprising degree in residencesurprising degree in residence

Indirect evidence of importance of father: Indirect evidence of importance of father: naming patternsnaming patterns

Fathers did what they could to provide: Fathers did what they could to provide: hunting, farm on side, build furniture, etc.hunting, farm on side, build furniture, etc.

BUT: father could not protect from white BUT: father could not protect from white sexual predators, threat of sale, physical sexual predators, threat of sale, physical violence by whiteviolence by white1.7 whippings/year: some argue shows little 1.7 whippings/year: some argue shows little

physical violence physical violence But meant a family member beaten once a But meant a family member beaten once a

monthmonth

V. Slave ReligionV. Slave Religion

A. Religion of the MastersA. Religion of the Masters New in 19New in 19thth: 17: 17th th + 18+ 18thth masters didn’t care about masters didn’t care about

religious life of slavesreligious life of slaves allowed African religion allowed African religion to persistto persist

22ndnd Great Awakening: 2 new denominations: Great Awakening: 2 new denominations: Methodists + BaptistsMethodists + Baptists

White M + B preached to slaves emphasizing White M + B preached to slaves emphasizing meeker virtues, biblical basis of racial seg. + meeker virtues, biblical basis of racial seg. + slaveryslavery Marx: religion “opiate of the masses”Marx: religion “opiate of the masses” Blacks didn’t buy it for the most part even when Blacks didn’t buy it for the most part even when

appeared toappeared to

Some whites encouraged black ministers to Some whites encouraged black ministers to preach to slavespreach to slaves

““I jined the church ‘most 83 years ago when I I jined the church ‘most 83 years ago when I was Major Gaud’s slave, and they baptizes was Major Gaud’s slave, and they baptizes me…When I starts preaching I couldn’t read me…When I starts preaching I couldn’t read or write and had to preach what Master told or write and had to preach what Master told me, and he say tell them niggers iffen they me, and he say tell them niggers iffen they obeys the master they goes to Heaven; but I obeys the master they goes to Heaven; but I knowed there’s something better for them, but knowed there’s something better for them, but daren’t tell them ‘cept on the sly. That I done daren’t tell them ‘cept on the sly. That I done lots. I tells ‘em iffen they keeps praying, the lots. I tells ‘em iffen they keeps praying, the Lord will set ‘em free.”Lord will set ‘em free.”

B. Religion of the SlavesB. Religion of the Slaves

Slave response white Ch’y: largely secret Slave response white Ch’y: largely secret black religion (woods, quarters)black religion (woods, quarters)

““My master used to ask us children, ‘Do My master used to ask us children, ‘Do your folks pray at night?’ We said ‘No,’ your folks pray at night?’ We said ‘No,’ ‘cause our folks had told us what to say. ‘cause our folks had told us what to say. But Lord have mercy, there was plenty of But Lord have mercy, there was plenty of that going on. They’d pray, ‘Lord, deliver that going on. They’d pray, ‘Lord, deliver us from under bondage.”us from under bondage.”

Emphasized justice, Emphasized justice, masters doomed to hell, masters doomed to hell, freedom, racial equalityfreedom, racial equality

A) God the Father: A) God the Father: vengeancevengeance

B) Christ: died for B) Christ: died for allall humans, redemption for humans, redemption for allall

C) Moses (most central, C) Moses (most central, almost conflated w/Jesus): almost conflated w/Jesus): spirituals constant motif of spirituals constant motif of escape into Canaanescape into Canaan ““Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”

Slave SongsSlave Songs

He delivered Daniel He delivered Daniel from the Lion’s den,from the Lion’s den,

Jonah from de belly ob Jonah from de belly ob de whale,de whale,

And de Hebrew children And de Hebrew children from de fiery furnacefrom de fiery furnace

And why not every And why not every man?man?

When I get to heaven, When I get to heaven, gwine be at easegwine be at ease

Me and my God gonna Me and my God gonna do as we please.do as we please.

Gonna chatter with the Gonna chatter with the Father, argue with the Father, argue with the Son,Son,

Tell um ‘bout the world I Tell um ‘bout the world I just come from.just come from.

Syncretism (mixture) Syncretism (mixture) w/certain aspects African w/certain aspects African religion: magic, spirits, religion: magic, spirits, conjuringconjuring

““Hoodoo Doctors” (voodoo)Hoodoo Doctors” (voodoo) Huck FinnHuck Finn: Jim’s fear of : Jim’s fear of

ghostsghosts

VI. African-American CultureVI. African-American Culture

Middle PassageMiddle Passage literally stripped of all literally stripped of all material culturematerial culture

But since 1960s consensus that some But since 1960s consensus that some survived: music, folk tales, magic, survived: music, folk tales, magic, language + linguistic patterns (southern language + linguistic patterns (southern drawl: whites picked up African rhythms)drawl: whites picked up African rhythms)

Whites tried to stamp out African culture, Whites tried to stamp out African culture, but survived in quarters and in evasionsbut survived in quarters and in evasions