Questions and Answers
What does the term 'peculiar institution' refer to?
What is paternalism in the context of slavery?
A system where a slave provides obedience and labor while the master provides for their needs.
What does manumission mean?
A legal grant of freedom to a slave by the owner.
What defines the Upper South?
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What was the Lower South known for?
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What is the Cotton Belt?
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King Cotton refers to the wheat-based economy in the South.
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What was the role of an overseer?
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What was the Underground Railroad?
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What occurred during the Amistad event?
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What does the term 'Creole' refer to in the context of the uprising?
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Who was Denmark Vesey?
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What did Nat Turner lead?
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What were the main points of the Compromise of 1850?
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Study Notes
Peculiar Institution
- Refers to the system of slavery unique to the South, characterized by brutality and the threat of family separation.
- Limited legal rights existed for slaves, often ignored or inadequately enforced.
Paternalism
- A system wherein slaves provided obedience and labor in exchange for basic needs and care from their masters.
- Allowed slaveholders to view themselves as benevolent and caring despite the underlying exploitation.
Manumission
- The legal process permitting slave owners to grant freedom to their slaves.
Upper South
- Comprised eight states where slavery was permitted but had a lower percentage of enslaved individuals compared to the Lower South.
- Significant economic centers included Baltimore, Richmond, and St. Louis, with a diverse economy.
- States that remained in the Union: Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri.
Lower South
- Characterized by a high concentration of slaves and very few free black individuals.
- Notable for its non-diversified economy, with New Orleans as the sole major city.
- States included Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Cotton Belt
- A region from South Carolina to east Texas known for producing the majority of U.S. cotton in the mid-1800s.
- High concentration of slave labor, where men, women, and children worked in gangs under overseers.
King Cotton
- Nickname for the southern economy dominated by cotton production.
- Heavily reliant on enslaved labor for cultivation and exporting primarily to Britain.
Overseer
- Individual responsible for managing enslaved workers in the fields, ensuring productivity and task completion.
Underground Railroad
- An organized network of abolitionists aiding slaves in their escape by hiding them and facilitating their movement to safety.
- Notable figure: Harriet Tubman, who played a significant role in the operations.
Amistad
- A revolt by 53 slaves aboard a ship en route from Africa to Cuba who attempted to return to Africa.
- Their journey ended near America, leading to a Supreme Court ruling favoring their return to Africa, inspiring the Creole uprising.
Creole
- A ship seized by slaves inspired by the Amistad incident, going from Virginia to New Orleans.
- The British granted refuge to the escaped slaves in the Bahamas.
Denmark Vesey
- A former slave and carpenter in Charleston who purchased his freedom through a lottery win.
- Led a local African Methodist church and advocated against slavery through biblical arguments; accused of planning a rebellion.
Nat Turner
- A slave preacher in Virginia believing he was divinely chosen to lead a rebellion.
- On August 22, 1831, he led a revolt that resulted in the deaths of over sixty whites before he was executed.
Compromise of 1850
- A legislative agreement made in response to California's application to join the Union as a free state.
- Key provisions:
- California admitted as a free state.
- Abolition of the slave trade in Washington D.C.
- Implementation of a strict fugitive slave law.
- Popular sovereignty for deciding on slavery in newly acquired Mexican territories.
- U.S. assumed Texas's debt from its independence.
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Description
Explore the key terms and definitions from Chapter 11 of 'Give Me Liberty'. This quiz focuses on concepts like 'peculiar institution' and 'paternalism', providing essential insights into the historical context of slavery in the South. Test your knowledge and deepen your understanding of this critical period in American history.
