Transcript
Page 1: What is SLAVERY? What is SLAVERY? How do you define slavery?

What is What is

SLAVERY?SLAVERY?

How do you define slavery?

Page 2: What is SLAVERY? What is SLAVERY? How do you define slavery?

MethodsMethods

HistoriographyHistoriography-- Pigmies placed on the shoulders of giants see Pigmies placed on the shoulders of giants see

more than the giants themselves. (Didacus Stella).more than the giants themselves. (Didacus Stella).

ContextualizationContextualization- Working with what you know.- Working with what you know.

Role-shiftingRole-shifting- - What would it take to make you a slave? What would it take to make you a slave?

Page 3: What is SLAVERY? What is SLAVERY? How do you define slavery?

Which is a Slave?Which is a Slave?

Marriage Slave? Minor Slave?

Penal Slaves? Wage Slave?

African Slave?

Page 4: What is SLAVERY? What is SLAVERY? How do you define slavery?

How do you Define Slavery?How do you Define Slavery?

A system for extracting “free” labor? Loss of personal freedom? Arbitrary power held by one person

over another? A system for enforcing the

superiority of one race over another?

Page 5: What is SLAVERY? What is SLAVERY? How do you define slavery?

Defining SlaveryDefining Slavery ““You know the worst thing about being a slave? They make you work but You know the worst thing about being a slave? They make you work but

they don't pay you or let you go.” Futurama, A Pharaoh to Remember.they don't pay you or let you go.” Futurama, A Pharaoh to Remember.

An obligation to serve another for life, in consideration of diet, and other An obligation to serve another for life, in consideration of diet, and other common necessaries. (Hugo Grotius, 1583-1645, para.).common necessaries. (Hugo Grotius, 1583-1645, para.).

Perfect slavery is an obligation to be directed by another in Perfect slavery is an obligation to be directed by another in allall one's actions. one's actions. (Dr. Thomas Rutherforth, 1712-1771, para.).(Dr. Thomas Rutherforth, 1712-1771, para.).

The establishment of a right, which gives one man such a power over The establishment of a right, which gives one man such a power over another, as renders him another, as renders him absolute masterabsolute master over his life and fortune. over his life and fortune. (Baron Charles de Montesquieu, 1689-1755, para.). (Baron Charles de Montesquieu, 1689-1755, para.).

““Slavery was instituted not merely to provide control of labor but also as a Slavery was instituted not merely to provide control of labor but also as a system of racial adjustment and social order.” (Ulrich Phillips, system of racial adjustment and social order.” (Ulrich Phillips, The Central The Central Theme of Southern HistoryTheme of Southern History).).

Page 6: What is SLAVERY? What is SLAVERY? How do you define slavery?

How do you Define Freedom?How do you Define Freedom?

Mobility? Mobility? Freedom of movement.Freedom of movement.

Association? Association? Freedom to attend religious services Freedom to attend religious services of your choice, to meet with friends, to date/marry a person of your of your choice, to meet with friends, to date/marry a person of your choice. choice.

Ownership?Ownership? Freedom to inherit, possess, and Freedom to inherit, possess, and dispose of property dispose of property

Voting Rights?Voting Rights?

General Choice?General Choice? Freedom to choose your Freedom to choose your vocation, to labor (or not labor), to live where you choose.vocation, to labor (or not labor), to live where you choose.

Page 7: What is SLAVERY? What is SLAVERY? How do you define slavery?

Perspective by ContrastPerspective by Contrast

“…“…all men are created equal, that they are all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” –Declaration of Independence, July 1776.–Declaration of Independence, July 1776.

Page 8: What is SLAVERY? What is SLAVERY? How do you define slavery?

General Characteristics of General Characteristics of SlaverySlavery

Obligation of perpetual service at the will Obligation of perpetual service at the will of the Master alone.of the Master alone.

Such obligation is reached in an arbitrary Such obligation is reached in an arbitrary manner.manner.

The slaves degraded condition descends The slaves degraded condition descends from parent to child.from parent to child.

Master has near limitless power to restrict Master has near limitless power to restrict and correct the slave.and correct the slave.

No acquisition of property without owner’s No acquisition of property without owner’s assent, and even then no recognized right.assent, and even then no recognized right.

Furthermore, the slave is alienable — Furthermore, the slave is alienable — similar to other forms of property.similar to other forms of property.

Page 9: What is SLAVERY? What is SLAVERY? How do you define slavery?

Control of MovementControl of Movement

Private Search dogs Neighbors Private slave hunters Plantation informants

Public Constables Patrols Night Watch

Numerous entities and systems worked together to limit the mobility of slaves

Page 10: What is SLAVERY? What is SLAVERY? How do you define slavery?

Control of MovementControl of Movement ““RUN away from the subscriber, a Virginia born Negro Fellow named RUN away from the subscriber, a Virginia born Negro Fellow named

WALTON, 23 Years of Age…As the said Fellow ran away without receiving WALTON, 23 Years of Age…As the said Fellow ran away without receiving any Abuse, the Taker up is desired to give him any Abuse, the Taker up is desired to give him ten Lashes every ten Milesten Lashes every ten Miles. . ((Virginia GazetteVirginia Gazette, Dec. 1, 1774)., Dec. 1, 1774).

““Runaway, a negro named Hambleton, limps on his left foot where he was Runaway, a negro named Hambleton, limps on his left foot where he was shot a few weeks agoshot a few weeks ago, while runaway.” (Miss. , while runaway.” (Miss. Vicksburg RegisterVicksburg Register, Sept. 5, , Sept. 5, 1838).1838).

““Runaway, a negro boy named Mose, he has a wound in the right shoulder Runaway, a negro boy named Mose, he has a wound in the right shoulder near the backbone, which was near the backbone, which was occasioned by a rifle shotoccasioned by a rifle shot.” (Columbus [Ga.] .” (Columbus [Ga.] Southern SunSouthern Sun, Aug. 7, 1838). , Aug. 7, 1838).

““Run away from the subscriber in Charles City county, the 14th of April last, Run away from the subscriber in Charles City county, the 14th of April last, a VIRGINIA born Negro fellow named PETER, about 44 years of age…the a VIRGINIA born Negro fellow named PETER, about 44 years of age…the said Negro is outlawed; and I will give £10 to any person or persons that will said Negro is outlawed; and I will give £10 to any person or persons that will kill him and bring me his headkill him and bring me his head, separate from his body, or 40s. if delivered , separate from his body, or 40s. if delivered to the subscriber near the Long Bridge.” (Virginia Gazette, May 11, 1769).to the subscriber near the Long Bridge.” (Virginia Gazette, May 11, 1769).

Page 11: What is SLAVERY? What is SLAVERY? How do you define slavery?

The Ability of one man to The Ability of one man to Arbitrarily Punish Another.Arbitrarily Punish Another.

The end [of slavery] is the profit of the master, his security and the public safety... [therefore] the power of the master must be absolute, to render the submission of the slave perfect. – State v. Mann, 13 N.C. 263 (1829).

Page 12: What is SLAVERY? What is SLAVERY? How do you define slavery?

Slave as PropertySlave as PropertyA slave is alienable in a manner similar to other forms of

property.

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Slaves for SaleSlaves for Sale

"TO BE SOLD, On Saturday the 27th Instant, at the London Coffee House, TWELVE "TO BE SOLD, On Saturday the 27th Instant, at the London Coffee House, TWELVE or Fourteen valuable NEGROES, consisting of young Men, Women, Boys and Girls; or Fourteen valuable NEGROES, consisting of young Men, Women, Boys and Girls; they have all had the Small Pox, can talk English, and are seasoned to the Country. they have all had the Small Pox, can talk English, and are seasoned to the Country. The sale to begin at Twelve o’Clock.” (The sale to begin at Twelve o’Clock.” (The Pennsylvania GazetteThe Pennsylvania Gazette, July 18, 1765)., July 18, 1765).

"TO be sold by public Venue, at the London Coffee House, on Saturday the 30th "TO be sold by public Venue, at the London Coffee House, on Saturday the 30th Instant, a likely negroe Wench, fit for Town or Country Business. She has had the Instant, a likely negroe Wench, fit for Town or Country Business. She has had the Smallpox and Measles. N.B. She is not sold for any Fault, but on Account of the Smallpox and Measles. N.B. She is not sold for any Fault, but on Account of the Decease of her Master." (Decease of her Master." (The Pennsylvania GazetteThe Pennsylvania Gazette, January 28, 1762)., January 28, 1762).

““The subscriber has just received and offers for sale at his old stand…[in New The subscriber has just received and offers for sale at his old stand…[in New Orleans]…the largest lot of NEGROES in the city, consisting of house servants, field Orleans]…the largest lot of NEGROES in the city, consisting of house servants, field hands, and mechanics. They will be sold on reasonable terms for cash or good hands, and mechanics. They will be sold on reasonable terms for cash or good paper.” (New Orleans paper.” (New Orleans Daily Picayune, March 20, 1852).Daily Picayune, March 20, 1852).

Page 14: What is SLAVERY? What is SLAVERY? How do you define slavery?

What Makes a Slave, a Slave?What Makes a Slave, a Slave?

Black Skin? Physical weakness/strength? Mental inferiority?

The Law !The Law !

Page 15: What is SLAVERY? What is SLAVERY? How do you define slavery?

Constitution of the CarolinasConstitution of the Carolinas

“ “Every freeman of Carolina shall have Every freeman of Carolina shall have absolute power and authority over absolute power and authority over his negro slaves, of what opinion or his negro slaves, of what opinion or religion [what]soever.” – John Locke, religion [what]soever.” – John Locke, The Fundamental Constitutions of The Fundamental Constitutions of CarolinaCarolina, , §§ 110, 1669. 110, 1669.

Page 16: What is SLAVERY? What is SLAVERY? How do you define slavery?

Sommersett’s CaseSommersett’s Case “ “The state of slavery is of such a nature, The state of slavery is of such a nature,

that it is incapable of being introduced that it is incapable of being introduced on any reasons, moral or political, but on any reasons, moral or political, but only by only by positive lawpositive law, which preserves , which preserves its force long after the reasons, its force long after the reasons, occasion, and time itself from whence occasion, and time itself from whence it was created, is erased from memory. it was created, is erased from memory. It is so odious, that nothing can be It is so odious, that nothing can be suffered to support it, but suffered to support it, but positive lawpositive law.”.”

Page 17: What is SLAVERY? What is SLAVERY? How do you define slavery?

No Slave Shall…No Slave Shall…

Those which forbid certain actions.

Possess weapons (firearm, sword, etc.)Possess weapons (firearm, sword, etc.) Meet togetherMeet together Travel without a passTravel without a pass Learn to read and writeLearn to read and write Trade or barterTrade or barter

Those which excuse

certain actions.

Capturing a slave Punishing a slave Keeping a slave Selling a slave Killing a slave

2 kinds of statutes

Page 18: What is SLAVERY? What is SLAVERY? How do you define slavery?

Equivalents of the Slave Equivalents of the Slave CodeCode

Capturing a slave = Kidnapping Punishing a slave = Assault Keeping a slave = False Imprisonment Selling a slave = Human Trafficking Killing a slave = Homicide

Page 19: What is SLAVERY? What is SLAVERY? How do you define slavery?

The Testimony of Fountain The Testimony of Fountain HughesHughes

Enslaved in Charlottesville, Virginia.Enslaved in Charlottesville, Virginia. Interviewed June 11, 1949.Interviewed June 11, 1949. Grandfather belonged to Thomas Jefferson.Grandfather belonged to Thomas Jefferson.

Page 20: What is SLAVERY? What is SLAVERY? How do you define slavery?

Slavery Defined?Slavery Defined?

How has your original definition How has your original definition changed?changed?

Surprise, I won’t give you a definition Surprise, I won’t give you a definition of slavery! (Hint: it may be on the of slavery! (Hint: it may be on the final).final).

Page 21: What is SLAVERY? What is SLAVERY? How do you define slavery?

Which is a Slave?Which is a Slave?

Marriage Slave? Minor Slave?

Penal Slaves? Wage Slave?

African Slave?


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