Throughout American history, African Americans have been forced into labor as slaves. Many of them lived differently than the majority of the population. Slaves were characterized through brutality, degradation, and inhumanity. They were often whipped, executed, or raped as a punishment for wrong doing. The larger the plantation that the slaves lived on, the harsher the treatment they would receive. The harsh treatment of slaves started to lessen when there was an inability to import slaves from Africa. The effect of this incapability was better treatment towards slaves in order to prevent them from running away. Slaves were extremely secluded from the outside world to keep them from creating their own thoughts and opinions. One way to prevent them from gaining this independence was to prohibit education. States even created laws that made educating a slave illegal, and if you were caught, the educator would receive a fine and the slave would receive lashes. Medical treatment was also given either very poorly or wealthy. If a slave owner wanted to ensure their property's value, they would give their slaves great medical attention. Other owners, who didn't care as much, left their slaves to their own means of health care.
The picture shown to the left shows how brutal slave owners were. The markings on this slave's back was caused from being whipped multiple times.
Rights were eventually given to slaves; however, most of their rights were still extremely restricting. Sometimes slaves were contracted to their owners. This meant that they have agreed to work a certain number of years for that owner before they have a chance at freedom. Another way slaves were able to obtain freedom was by taking their owner to court where it would then be decided in front of a jury if the slave should gain freedom. The Dutch West India company often gave half-freedom to elderly slaves. Half -freedom required slaves to contribute an annual fee to the company. Because half-freedom could not be inherited, the children of the half-free slave would still be owned by the owner. One of the easier ways to obtain freedom was to join the Revolutionary War. Loyalists and Patriots were offering freedom to any slave who served in the war. The Revolutionary War also inspired many people to create anti-slavery groups. With all the options of obtaining freedom, slave owners had to create a way to regain the slaves they lost; one way was by kidnapping. While more and more slaves were moving to free states, they were not necessarily guaranteed freedom. Free slaves could be kidnapped and sold back into slavery at any given time.
The picture shown to the left shows how brutal slave owners were. The markings on this slave's back was caused from being whipped multiple times.
Rights were eventually given to slaves; however, most of their rights were still extremely restricting. Sometimes slaves were contracted to their owners. This meant that they have agreed to work a certain number of years for that owner before they have a chance at freedom. Another way slaves were able to obtain freedom was by taking their owner to court where it would then be decided in front of a jury if the slave should gain freedom. The Dutch West India company often gave half-freedom to elderly slaves. Half -freedom required slaves to contribute an annual fee to the company. Because half-freedom could not be inherited, the children of the half-free slave would still be owned by the owner. One of the easier ways to obtain freedom was to join the Revolutionary War. Loyalists and Patriots were offering freedom to any slave who served in the war. The Revolutionary War also inspired many people to create anti-slavery groups. With all the options of obtaining freedom, slave owners had to create a way to regain the slaves they lost; one way was by kidnapping. While more and more slaves were moving to free states, they were not necessarily guaranteed freedom. Free slaves could be kidnapped and sold back into slavery at any given time.
A majority of slaves worked outside in the fields, but some slaves were lucky enough to work in the house. Household slaves often cooked the meals; cooking was an advantage because they could steal the leftovers, but this could result in an extreme punishment if they were caught. They also cleaned the house and kept everything running smoothly. They were usually dressed more modestly because they received hand-me-downs from their owner. An advantage to working in the house was the opportunity to create a close relationship with the masters. They were also often allowed to sleep in the house or a smaller cabin close by.
Field slaves, on the other hand, were not as lucky as the house slaves. Food rations were given to them weekly. This included corn meal, lard, meat, molasses, peas, greens, and flour. The only people that were permitted to cook meals were the elderly because they couldn't work in the fields. Meal times were before sunrise because they had to be out in the fields by the time the sun rose. Lunch was at noon, and dinner was served after they were allowed to stop working for the day. On some occasions, slaves were allowed to have gardens to help provide themselves with additional food. Clothing was also a major issue because it was very common that slaves did not have enough of it. Clothing was distributed once a year according to age and sex. It was also a regular occurrence that the clothing rations did not completely cover their bodies. Children weren't given any sort of clothing until they reached adolescence. When it became colder, slaves would receive an additional piece of clothing to provide another layer to keep themselves warm. The elderly never received additional layers simply because they never worked in the fields. All slaves that worked in the fields lived in the same small dirt floored cabin.
The picture shown above and to the right is a picture of a group of slaves hard at work in the fields. You can see that all ages were used to work in the fields. In the back you can see adults working, and in the front you can also see children working.
Even though slave treatment was extremely brutal and hard to fathom, it's an important thing to learn about and keep documented for others in the future. It's important for everyone to know about what happened during this time so that history never repeats itself.
Field slaves, on the other hand, were not as lucky as the house slaves. Food rations were given to them weekly. This included corn meal, lard, meat, molasses, peas, greens, and flour. The only people that were permitted to cook meals were the elderly because they couldn't work in the fields. Meal times were before sunrise because they had to be out in the fields by the time the sun rose. Lunch was at noon, and dinner was served after they were allowed to stop working for the day. On some occasions, slaves were allowed to have gardens to help provide themselves with additional food. Clothing was also a major issue because it was very common that slaves did not have enough of it. Clothing was distributed once a year according to age and sex. It was also a regular occurrence that the clothing rations did not completely cover their bodies. Children weren't given any sort of clothing until they reached adolescence. When it became colder, slaves would receive an additional piece of clothing to provide another layer to keep themselves warm. The elderly never received additional layers simply because they never worked in the fields. All slaves that worked in the fields lived in the same small dirt floored cabin.
The picture shown above and to the right is a picture of a group of slaves hard at work in the fields. You can see that all ages were used to work in the fields. In the back you can see adults working, and in the front you can also see children working.
Even though slave treatment was extremely brutal and hard to fathom, it's an important thing to learn about and keep documented for others in the future. It's important for everyone to know about what happened during this time so that history never repeats itself.