With the advancements in cotton production, growing waves of white migrants went to Southern states (Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama), seeing an opportunity for profit (Franklin & Higginbotham, 2010). Consequently, the demand for slaves also increased. Slaves were sourced both through domestic trade and interstate trade from Atlantic seaboard states (Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina). The latter became increasingly profitable after the prohibition of importing slaves from Africa. Slave traders were everywhere, actively persuading to sell and buy. Prices varied between the states and increased over time. For instance, in Charleston, in 1800, an unskilled young man’s cost was about $500, but, by 1860, it reached $1,200.
Along with the expansion of slavery, slave codes were introduced. They varied from state to state, but the essence was that slaves were not people but protected property. Slaves had no legal rights and could not leave their master’s plantation without being authorized. To ensure compliance with these codes, slave patrols were introduced. Their purpose was to track and catch runaway slaves and return them to their masters. They also observed assemblances of slaves and searched their quarters for weapons ensuring their obedience.
The work of slaves was primarily agricultural. The working regime on large plantations was incredibly intense, especially during harvest season, with slaves having no time to cultivate their own gardens. They worked in fields under the supervision of masters or overseers. The work did not require skills but a lot of time and effort. Aside from cultivating the crop, slaves were used for breaking soil, carrying water, and mending fences.
However, slaves still found time to communicate, gather during holidays, or other special events. While certain religious freedom was allowed, as the abolitionist movement grew, many masters become suspicious of slaves churches fearing slaves doubting the inequality notions of proslavery preachers. Still, almost all plantations had slave preachers – slaves gathered in woods to worship freely. As for slave families, some had an opportunity to work and live together, but many families were divided by the slave trade. Childbearing was often difficult due to the lack of appropriate medical care.
Contrary to popular notions, many slaves were not obedient or docile. They committed various acts of resistance by stealing food and clothing, faking illnesses, sabotaging plantation work by breaking tools, and employing tricks to manipulate the selling process in their favor. Some slaves committed suicides or acts of self-mutilation; others found opportunities to escape. There were also cases of masters being poisoned or brutally murdered. Many slaves expressed their anger in revolts. More than a hundred uprisings occurred in Louisiana in 1811. The major slave rebellions include Gabriel Prosser’s conspiracy, Denmark Vesey’s conspiracy, and the Black Seminole rebellion.
References
Franklin, J. H., & Higginbotham, E.B. (2010). From slavery to freedom: A history of African Americans (9th ed.). McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Parks, G. (1984). Solomon Northup’s odyssey [Film]. PBS.