African Slavery in the British Colonies Mr Davis

African Slavery in the British Colonies Mr. Davis APUSH 2. 2 (II)

Where was it found? • African slavery existed in every colony during this time period • Why? • The abundance of land • Growing European demand for goods • Shortage in indentured servitude • African slaves were at the bottom of colonial society

How was African slavery dispersed in Northern colonies? • Highly dispersed • Worked as: • Laborers on small family farms • Assistants to artisans • Loaders on the ship docks • New York City • African slaves made up roughly 30% of all laborers in 1746 • Most were domestic laborers, but could be found in all sectors of the economy

How was African slavery dispersed in the Southern Colonies? • African slaves were far more numerous in these colonies. • Chesapeake Region • Global demand for tobacco required the development of large plantations which required slaves • Not only field hands: • • Seamstresses Coopers Blacksmiths Tanners • Plantations were designed to provide everything they needed

How was African lavery dispersed in the Southern Colonies? • African slavery was common on small family farms • In Virginia half of all white families owned at least one slave just before the American Revolution • South Carolina • African slaves worked predominantly on rice and indigo plantations • By the 1730 s two-thirds of SC’s population was black

Laws governing Chattel slavery • Laws created a strict racial system • Interracial relationships were prohibited • Defined descendants of African mothers as black and enslaved forever • Examples: • Virginia Slave Laws • http: //www. history. org/history/teaching/slavelaw. cfm • South Carolina Slaves Codes • http: //www. teachingushistory. org/pdfs/Transciptionof 1740 Slave. Codes. pdf

African slave resistance • Work Slowdowns • • Slowing work Break tools Faking illness Sabotage production • Theft • How can a slave steal? • “Taking the masters meat from one tub and placing it in another”

African slave resistance • Armed rebellions • Example • New York City (1712) • The Stono Rebellion (1739) • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=24 U 156 LHXYM