Mini Drama NotesSlavery

Slave Auctions

Slave Auctions

• Many families broken apart at auctions• Auctions started on the signal of a drum• Slaves fed well a few days leading to auction.

Grease put around mouth to make it look like they had eaten plenty of meat

• Slaves completely examined before auction. Teeth, muscles, forced to move different ways…etc.

Slave Children

Children

• Children viewed as property of the master, not the mother.

• Mothers worked up until birth• Some children were brought to the fields while

parents worked, others stayed in a nursery at the plantation

• Many owners did not want children to learn to read

• Most children started working at age 12-14 in fields

Field Work

Field Work

• Regular working day was from before sunrise to after sunset

• Fastest worker put in front row and if others didn’t keep up they were flogged

• Slaves were given sacks to fill with cotton. They were beaten if sacks were not full enough

• Overseer- man on horse supervised slaves at work• Lunch time consisted of 10-15 minute break with cold

bacon• They didn’t dare stop working no matter how late until

command was given by slave driver

Domestic Work

Domestic Work

• Domestic Work- Work done inside the house• Slaves would have work to do in their own

cabin as well as owners house• Slaves were taught that domestic work was

the highest honor• Fanned owners while they slept

Passive Resistance

Passive Resistance

• Resisted through songs with secret messages of escape, sabotage, refusing to work, and assisting others to escape.

• Some slaves broke tools or tried to poison the owner.

• Some slaves pretended to be sick, blind, insane, or dumb

• Used music as a way of communication.

Religion

Religion

• Owners used religion to tell slaves it was their duty to follow the master’s orders.

• Whites would sit in on church service to make sure the preachers said things they wanted

• Slaves had secret religious services at night. Sang “Steal Away to Jesus” which was a code meaning there would be a secret service that night.

Family

Family

• Slave families were torn apart at the auction block.• Slaves had their own chores to do after the slave

work was finished for the day. • Cabins made of logs let in light, water, and cold air• Girls were forced to marry and they would

sometimes jump over the broom together (African custom).

• Girls married at 12 or 13. • Some mothers poisoned their children

Runaways

Runaways

• Slaves who were captured would be beaten or even killed.

• Some slaves turned others in for fear of being beaten if they didn’t.

• Slaves tried to escape to Canada for freedom. • Slaves followed the north star when it was dark. • Slaves were caught most of the time.• Underground railroad helped many slaves escape.