How did slaves respond to slavery?
As the institution of American slavery grew increasingly forceful, the enslaved resisted its grip by appealing to the law, by escaping, and even by committing extreme acts like suicide and murder.
How did slaves resist their treatment?
Slaves resisted their treatment in innumerable ways. They slowed down their work pace, disabled machinery, feigned sickness, destroyed crops. They argued and fought with their masters and overseers. Many stole livestock, other food, or valuables.
How were African slaves treated in Africa?
Most of the Africans who were enslaved were captured in battles or were kidnapped, though some were sold into slavery for debt or as punishment. The captives were marched to the coast, often enduring long journeys of weeks or even months, shackled to one another.
How was slavery treated?
Slaves were punished by whipping, shackling, hanging, beating, burning, mutilation, branding, rape, and imprisonment. Punishment was often meted out in response to disobedience or perceived infractions, but sometimes abuse was performed to re-assert the dominance of the master (or overseer) over the slave.
What was the most common form of resistance by slaves?
The most common form of overt resistance was flight. As early as 1640, slaves in Maryland and Virginia absconded from their enslavement, a trend that would grow into the thousands, and, eventually, tens of thousands by the time of the Civil War.
How did slaves survive?
Plantation slaves lived in small shacks with a dirt floor and little or no furniture. Life on large plantations with a cruel overseer was oftentimes the worst. However, work for a small farm owner who was not doing well could mean not being fed.
How was the treatment of slaves different in West African cultures?
In West African cultures, slaves were allowed to eat with their masters, while in the Atlantic slave trade, they were not. The correct answer is: In West African cultures, slaves were treated like people, while in the Atlantic slave trade, they were treated like property.
How did African slavery work?
The vast majority of enslaved Africans employed in plantation agriculture were field hands. Even on plantations, however, they worked in other capacities. Some were domestics and worked as butlers, waiters, maids, seamstresses, and launderers. Others were assigned as carriage drivers, hostlers, and stable boys.
How was slavery in Africa different from slavery in the Americas?
Slavery in Africa and the New World contrasted In general, slavery in Africa was not heritable—that is, the children of slaves were free—while in the Americas, children of slave mothers were considered born into slavery.
What did slaves do after they were freed?
Freed Persons Receive Wages From Former Owner Some emancipated slaves quickly fled from the neighborhood of their owners, while others became wage laborers for former owners. Most importantly, African Americans could make choices for themselves about where they labored and the type of work they performed.
How were slaves treated during the Civil War?
Some slaves were willing to risk their lives and families, while others were not. Many and perhaps most slaves were governable during the war, especially in the early years. Escaping slaves who were caught on their way to freedom were usually very harshly dealt with and frequently executed.
How were the slaves treated during the weeping time?
In most cases the slaves were sold as families, including a mother and her 15-day-old baby. Extended families and whatever community they had on the Butler plantations were destroyed. The 436 people sold over those two days went to plantations throughout the South. There's little trace of what became of them.