SLAVE RESISTANCE HISTORY

Response to Slavery Resistance was a constant feature of slavery, but to define it only by the number of plots and revolts which took place is very misleading. The slave resistance to their condition was an everyday feature of their lives, ranging from working or obeying orders as slowly as possible to full-scale rebellion involving murder and the destruction of property. This shaped the form of plantation society and turned slavery into an inefficient economic system.

By the early years of the nineteenth century such prolonged and continuous resistance had made it obvious that slaves could never become efficient or willing workers, no be ruled without ever increasing repression. Their perseverance played a great part in bringing an end to chattel slavery as an institution.

Passive Resistance Slow working and malingering. Pretending ignorance. Deliberate carelessness, or carelessness. resulting from a casual attitude which usually went undetected but caused trouble later. Pretending to be ill. Telling lies to avoid doing something or to create confusion.

Refusing to work (usually done by a large group of slaves in the form of a “strike”.) The consequences for this action can be dire as punishment will involve mutilation or execution. Running away (usually in mountainous territories such as Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Dominica and Guadeloupe. Slave Suicide which was common from the beginning. The most famous example of slave suicide was that of 400 slaves on Guadeloupe who, in 1802 put themselves in a fort and blew it up rather than submit themselves to the reintroduction of slavery.

Any Crime committed by a slave against a slave law was a form of resistance.

Who influenced this resistance? The African slaves’ resistance to their condition was similar to, and influenced by, the response of the Amerindians to being enslaved by the Spanish. The Taino resisted, not only by refusing co-operate and work, but also by revolting, running away or even joining up with their enemies, the Caribs. In the end they were prepared to accept death or assimilation rather than a life in bondage.

Resistance through African Culture

The size of most plantations favored the survival of African culture and did much to diminish the impact that the culture of the white slave-owners might have had on the life of the slaves. Resistance to slavery was found in the retention of African languages and religious beliefs, in maintaining African customs, music and dance, and in retaining their skills in traditional African crafts.

Active Resistance Major acts of active resistance were rare because of the penalties, but there were many major acts of sabotage. Damaging and destroying the owner’s property by disabling the farm machinery. Maiming and killing of livestock. Petty stealing of estate property caused inconvenience and expense to the owner as well as a personal gain to the slaves.

The maiming or murdering of other slaves was not so common, but it did go on. Murdering the whites on the estate. Many slaves wanted to do this but their chances of getting away with it were very remote and they could expect no mercy if even suspected of such a crime.