12 Questions
Before 1823, what was allowed to happen to enslaved families?
They could be separated and sold at any time
What was forbidden during western holidays?
Blowing horns or beating drums
What was the punishment for teaching an enslaved person to read?
Severe whipping was inflicted
What happened to enslaved people caught reading or learning to read?
They suffered savage beatings and amputation of fingers and toes
What was prohibited from the enslaved Africans?
Their spiritual practices and education
What was forced upon the enslaved Africans?
European religious practices and beliefs
What was one of the ways planters exerted economic control over enslaved Africans?
By limiting the size of their provision grounds
What was the purpose of enacting laws that restricted the movement of enslaved people?
To prevent them from planning events or revolts
What was one of the physical measures used to control enslaved Africans?
Placing them in stocks
Why were relationships between enslaved people from one plantation to another forbidden?
To prevent them from sharing information and planning revolts
What was the purpose of enacting curfews?
To manage the movement and assembling of persons
How did planters exert physical control over enslaved Africans?
By placing them in stocks, severe beating, or even killing them
Study Notes
Family Life and Social Control
- Prior to 1823, planters could sell their property and separate families at any time.
- The amelioration measures of 1823 prohibited the separation of families.
- Enslaved Africans were forced to celebrate and practice Western holidays.
- African cultural practices, such as blowing horns or beating drums, were forbidden as a means of communication.
- African Spiritualism and Islam were prohibited, and Africans were forced to adopt European religious practices.
Education and Literacy
- Enslaved Africans were prohibited from all forms of education.
- Reading or learning to read was a punishable crime.
- Anyone caught teaching an enslaved person to read would be whipped severely.
- Enslaved individuals who learned to read suffered severe punishments, including savage beatings and amputation of fingers and toes.
Economic Control
- The economic life of enslaved Africans was controlled, making them dependent on the planter.
- It was illegal for an enslaved person to own property without their master's consent.
- The size of their provision ground was limited to prevent them from becoming self-reliant.
Physical Control
- Physical measures were used to control enslaved people, including placing them in stocks.
- Severe beating, limb removal, and killing were used as punishment.
- Laws restricted the movement of enslaved people, prohibiting them from leaving the plantation without permission.
- Relationships between enslaved people from different plantations were forbidden.
- Curfews were enacted to manage the movement and assembling of enslaved people.
Learn about the economic, physical, and social control exerted over enslaved Africans on sugar plantations, including the limitations on their economic life and property ownership.
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