Slavery is a phenomenon which had already been common practice in ancient times and has influenced human history up till today. Historian and author Stanley Elkins compared the practice of slavery in the southern states of the U.S. to 'national socialist concentration camps' (Meißner, Mücke, Weber 120). Unfortunately, it was the sad truth. Slaves were imported from Africa and sold against their will like goods. The sole objective was effective economic exploitation of work force.
The purpose of this term paper is to take a closer look and especially illustrate every day hardships of a slave's life on a North American cotton plantation. In this regard, the books Schwarzes Amerika from Meißner, Mücke and Weber, Out of Many from Farager, Buhle, Czitrom and Armitage as well as The Enduring Vision from Boyer, Clark and McNair Hawley serve as a basis for statistics and detailed information.
The life of slaves was subject to constantly changing factors which leads to the conclusion that the standard of life was significantly worse on a big plantation than on a small manageable cotton farm. Furthermore, wealth and the plantation owner’s character influenced a slave's everyday life as well. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that not all circumstances and factors applied to every plantation.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of the terms slavery and slave
- The life of a slave in the cotton plantation economy in North America
- Field of work
- Culture
- Religion
- Customs and traditions
- Social life
- Partnership and marriage
- Community life and childhood
- Resistance movements
- Day-to-day resistance
- Theft
- Escape
- Organized resistance
- Rescue attempts
- Revolts
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper aims to examine the daily hardships faced by slaves on North American cotton plantations. It utilizes historical sources to illustrate the realities of their lives, considering factors such as the size of the plantation and the owner's character which impacted the slaves' experiences. The paper acknowledges the variability of conditions across different plantations.
- The daily life and working conditions of slaves on cotton plantations.
- The cultural aspects of slavery, including religion and traditions.
- The social structures and relationships within the slave community.
- Forms of resistance employed by slaves against their enslavement.
- The impact of plantation size and owner characteristics on the slaves' lives.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by highlighting slavery's historical prevalence and its impact on human history. It draws a stark comparison between Southern U.S. slavery and Nazi concentration camps, emphasizing the dehumanizing nature of the institution. The chapter establishes the paper's objective: to closely examine the daily struggles of slaves on North American cotton plantations, using scholarly sources like "Schwarzes Amerika," "Out of Many," and "The Enduring Vision" for detailed information and statistics. It acknowledges that slave life varied based on factors such as plantation size and owner personality.
Definition of the terms slavery and slave: This chapter provides an objective definition of slavery as complete legal and economic dependence, with the enslaved person considered property. However, it critically notes a key aspect of U.S. slavery: its racial basis. The chapter highlights that only Black Africans and Native Americans were enslaved due to racist ideologies that positioned them as inferior.
The life of a slave in the cotton plantation economy of North America: This chapter discusses the significant role cotton played in the antebellum South, leading to the use of two million slaves on over 74,000 plantations by the mid-19th century. It describes the rapid growth of cotton cultivation and the consequent dramatic increase in the slave population between 1810 and 1830. The chapter emphasizes that by 1830, three-quarters of Southern slaves worked on cotton plantations, resulting in slave populations exceeding 50% of the total population in some areas.
Field of work: This section delves into the diverse nature of slave labor, dispelling the misconception that all slaves solely worked in fields. It highlights that slaves performed various tasks on the plantation, from field work to maintenance and cleaning, especially on smaller farms. On larger plantations, slaves often worked in groups of ten or more, their days beginning with an overseer's wake-up call followed by work in the fields. The chapter provides a vivid description of such a scene from a traveler's account in Mississippi, emphasizing the physical strength and regimented nature of the work. It also notes that various forms of incentives and punishments were used to maintain productivity.
Keywords
Slavery, cotton plantation, North America, daily life, resistance, social life, culture, economic exploitation, racial oppression, field work.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Slavery on North American Cotton Plantations
What is the overall focus of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of a term paper examining the daily lives of enslaved people on North American cotton plantations. It includes the table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The focus is on detailing the harsh realities of slavery, including work conditions, cultural practices, social structures, and forms of resistance.
What topics are covered in the table of contents?
The table of contents covers an introduction, a definition of slavery and the term "slave," a detailed look at the life of a slave on a cotton plantation (including work, culture, social life, and resistance movements), and a conclusion.
What are the key objectives and themes of the term paper?
The paper aims to explore the daily struggles of enslaved individuals on cotton plantations, analyzing the impact of plantation size and owner characteristics on their experiences. Key themes include daily life and working conditions, cultural aspects (religion and traditions), social structures within the slave community, forms of resistance, and the influence of plantation size and owner personality.
What are the main points discussed in each chapter summary?
The introduction sets the historical context of slavery, comparing it to Nazi concentration camps and stating the paper's objective. The chapter defining slavery and slave highlights its legal and economic aspects, emphasizing its racial basis in the US. The chapter on the life of a slave on cotton plantations details the significant role of cotton in the antebellum South and the immense number of enslaved people working on these plantations. The "Field of work" section describes the diverse tasks performed by enslaved people, dispelling misconceptions and providing a vivid description of daily field work.
What types of resistance are discussed?
The document discusses various forms of resistance, ranging from everyday acts of defiance and theft to escape attempts and organized revolts, including rescue attempts and uprisings.
What sources are mentioned in the document?
The chapter summaries mention scholarly sources such as "Schwarzes Amerika," "Out of Many," and "The Enduring Vision" as providing detailed information and statistics about slavery.
What are the key words associated with this document?
The keywords include: Slavery, cotton plantation, North America, daily life, resistance, social life, culture, economic exploitation, racial oppression, and field work.
What is the intended audience of this document?
The document is intended for academic use, facilitating the analysis of themes related to slavery in a structured and professional manner.
- Quote paper
- Julia Schönmann (Author), 2014, The life of a slave in the cotton plantation economy of North America, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/273314
