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Questions and Answers
What was a common factor contributing to the high infant mortality rate among slave children?
What was a common factor contributing to the high infant mortality rate among slave children?
- Regular medical check-ups
- Well-maintained living conditions
- Access to adequate healthcare facilities
- Poor nutrition in the diet (correct)
How did planters generally view slave marriages?
How did planters generally view slave marriages?
- As a reason to separate families
- As a legal contract enforceable by law
- As a social norm to be promoted
- As a way to enhance slave productivity (correct)
Which of the following describes the typical living conditions of slaves?
Which of the following describes the typical living conditions of slaves?
- Luxury accommodations with proper insulation
- Spacious homes with multiple rooms
- Plantation-style mansions
- One or two-room cabins with dirt floors (correct)
What primarily motivated planters to keep their slaves healthy?
What primarily motivated planters to keep their slaves healthy?
What was the structure of responsibilities within slave families similar to?
What was the structure of responsibilities within slave families similar to?
What was a common punishment that slaves faced, impacting their physical well-being?
What was a common punishment that slaves faced, impacting their physical well-being?
What were the conditions like in infirmaries on larger plantations?
What were the conditions like in infirmaries on larger plantations?
In what manner were marriages among slaves typically formalized?
In what manner were marriages among slaves typically formalized?
What did planters often do to slave families despite accepting marriages?
What did planters often do to slave families despite accepting marriages?
How did the work responsibilities of slave women differ from those of their male counterparts?
How did the work responsibilities of slave women differ from those of their male counterparts?
What factor primarily determined the treatment of a slave on a plantation?
What factor primarily determined the treatment of a slave on a plantation?
Which group of slaves typically received better treatment than field hands?
Which group of slaves typically received better treatment than field hands?
How were slaves generally organized in fieldwork?
How were slaves generally organized in fieldwork?
Which of the following was considered a form of punishment for slaves?
Which of the following was considered a form of punishment for slaves?
What was the typical duration of a working day for field hands during harvest time?
What was the typical duration of a working day for field hands during harvest time?
What type of food was typically included in a slave's weekly rations?
What type of food was typically included in a slave's weekly rations?
What additional privilege might a slave receive for consistently good work?
What additional privilege might a slave receive for consistently good work?
What was one of the main characteristics of the diet provided to slaves?
What was one of the main characteristics of the diet provided to slaves?
What was a common practice regarding the clothing provided to slaves?
What was a common practice regarding the clothing provided to slaves?
During which day of the week were slaves typically allowed a half day of work?
During which day of the week were slaves typically allowed a half day of work?
What role did extended family and community members play in the lives of slaves?
What role did extended family and community members play in the lives of slaves?
How did slaveholders typically view the role of religion among their slaves?
How did slaveholders typically view the role of religion among their slaves?
In what ways did slaves adapt their religious practices?
In what ways did slaves adapt their religious practices?
What themes were commonly found in the songs created by slaves?
What themes were commonly found in the songs created by slaves?
Which figure was notably emphasized in the religious songs and sermons among slaves?
Which figure was notably emphasized in the religious songs and sermons among slaves?
What misconception did southern whites hold about the singing of slaves?
What misconception did southern whites hold about the singing of slaves?
Where did slaves often hold their religious services?
Where did slaves often hold their religious services?
What aspect of slave marriage was reflected in the views of planters?
What aspect of slave marriage was reflected in the views of planters?
What did the lyrics of slave songs often reflect?
What did the lyrics of slave songs often reflect?
What was a significant motivation behind the creation of spirituals in slave culture?
What was a significant motivation behind the creation of spirituals in slave culture?
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Study Notes
Working Conditions
- Slaves were generally treated better on smaller farms and plantations.
- Field hands worked long hours, up to 16 hours a day during harvest.
- Slaves were organized into 'gangs' of around 25 workers under an overseer (the gang system) or assigned specific tasks daily (the task system)
- Punishment for poor work included whippings, extra work, and food rations being reduced.
- Slaves could receive rewards for good work such as: extra food, passes to visit family and friends, and the privilege of having a vegetable garden.
- Slaves received clothing twice a year for men, and yearly for women and children.
- Food was usually distributed weekly consisting of cornmeal, salt pork or bacon, and molasses,
- Some plantations had kitchens while others provided food weekly to individuals and families.
- Slave quarters were typically one or two rooms with dirt floors.
- Living conditions were often poor with hot summers and cold winters.
Slave Health
- The slave population was generally unhealthy due to hard labor, punishments, poor diet, and living conditions.
- Infant mortality was high, at least 20 percent of slave children died before age 5.
- Life expectancy was significantly lower than Southern Whites.
- Medical care was inadequate on most plantations, with conditions in plantation infirmaries being worse than in slave quarters.
Slave Family
- Slave marriage was common, as it was seen as a way to control slaves and make them less likely to run away.
- The marriage ceremony could be as simple as a man and woman “jumping the broom” or a formal wedding in the planter’s house.
- Despite the acceptance, slave marriage was not respected, and wives could be sold away from husbands and children from parents.
- Slave families faced the constant threat of being separated.
- Stability was important, with family roles similar to those of white society.
- Extended family structures, including uncles, aunts, and grandparents, provided a strong support network in the slave community.
Slave Religion and Culture
- Planters encouraged slavery because they thought it would control slaves.
- Slaves' religious services emphasized obedience to their master, and avoiding stealing and lying.
- Slaves had their own version of religion that combined evangelical Christianity and West-African beliefs and practices.
- This religion focused on ultimate deliverance from bondage and their own prayers, hymns, and sermons.
- Music played a vital role in slave culture, with slaves singing about labor, sorrow, family breakups, and hopes for freedom.
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