African-Americans in Colonial America

Tuesday, October 9, 2007


Turn in your question from pg. 85 now.


Question of the day: Due in 10 min

Explain why the ownership of land was so important in American Colonial society.
or
Draw a diagram that symbolizes the status of white men, women and African slaves in colonial society.

Reading assignment pages 83-88


The first African slaves were transported to Jamestown in about 1620 by 1750 slaves comprised about 20% of the population in the colonies. (600,00)

During the 18th century (1700's) hundreds of thousands of slaves were transported from Africa to the Americas. Most went to South America and Central America.

Of those sent to North America most were sold in the southern colonies but some were sold in the northern colonies where slavery also existed.

The journey across the Atlantic Ocean made by the slaves was called the Middle Passage. For many it was a time of brutality and hardship. Hundreds of slaves were packed into dark and damp holds with little opportunity for cleanliness and air.

Usually at least half of the human cargo died before the ship reached the Americas.

Upon arrival in the colonies the slaves were sold at auction houses and sent off to work for their masters. The work that was assigned to the slave depended upon whether they were in the New England the Middle or the Southern colonies.

Slaves sent to New England would most likely be in an urban setting. There they would work in a blacksmith shop or in a store. They could also work as sailors or in shipyards.

In the Middle Colonies the slave would work on large tobbacco plantations or as servants in large homes.

In the southern colonies life was hardest for the African slave. Here the enslaved would be forced to work on large rice plantations. These slaves worked in conditions that included hot humid weather and work in swamps that were full of snakes and alligators.

One advantage of these plantations was that the harsh living conditions kept the white population from living amongst these slaves. With little supervison these slaves were able to maintain many of their African customs and be able to form family units that were able to last longer than those slaves in New England and the Middle colonies.

In spite of the practice being discouraged throughout the 13 colonies there were slaves that were freed from their bondage. Some were freed by their master while others especially skilled craftsmen were able to buy themselves from slavery.

To prevent slave revolts most of the colonies enacted laws or codes that severly restricted the movement of slaves and the contact with other slaves.

Even though these laws severly punished slaves for violating the laws of the colonies (hanging and burning) there were many instances of slave revolts that brought fear into the hearts of the white colonist.

Short of rebellion there were other ways that slaves could defy their masters. Sabotage and slow work was used by many slaves as a way to preserve the slaves sense of self-respect and dignity.

Complete African-Americans in the Colonies WS. Due Wednesday October 10, 2007



The test will be on Friday 0ctober 12, 2007. Begin to prepare now.