For the majority of human history, in all areas of the world, slavery was a normal part of life, and seen as totally normal. No one questioned its morality (whether it was right or wrong).

This has changed.

Today most people think it is wrong. Consider the words of the Declaration of Independence, ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’

Slavery in the USA went against the words written in our foundational document.

LEGAL SLAVERY IN THE USASome background:

During the Revolution of 1776– most Northern colonies/states made slavery illegal.

The North had many cities, more immigrants and a diverse economy which did not work with slavery.

In the South, slavery continued and became more profitable, because their climate made cotton farming very profitable.

PLANTATION/PLANTERPLANTATION: A large farm. In the 1800s, there were many in the Southern USA, usually worked by families of slaves. A normal sized plantation would have more than 100 slaves.

PLANTER: The owner of the plantation.

CASH CROPCROP: a plant grown for human use.CASH CROP: Crops that can be grown in bulk for big profit. In USA in 1800s– the big cash crops were:

Most slaves worked in the fields, making planters lots of money.

OVERSEER

OVERSEER: The person who worked with slaves in the field supervising them. Typically a trusted slave himself.

House Slaves/Field SlavesMost slaves worked in the fields. It was hard, grueling work, and during harvest season they often worked 12 + hour days.Other slaves worked in and around the house; gardening, cleaning, cooking, watching the planter’s children, many were responsible for bathing and dressing the planter’s wife.Though field slaves often worked harder, they had more autonomy because they were not constantly around the planters.

FLOGGINGFLOGGING: A typical punishment for slaves– whipping. Often done by the overseer or another trusted slave.

COTTONAlthough at first tobacco was the big crop grown in the USA, cotton soon became the dominate slave crop. The invention of the cotton gin made slave labor even more profitable for planters.

Please read the blue half sheet on your table about the cotton gin.

http://lincolnmullen.com/projects/slavery

ABOLISH/ABOLITION/ABOLITIONISTABOLISH– to end/get rid ofABOLITION– in 1800s, term used to talk about ending slavery– “I am for abolition” = “I am for ending slavery.”ABOLITIONIST– in 1800s, a person who was for abolishing slavery, or for abolition, was called an abolitionist.

EMANCIPATE/EMANCIPATION

EMANCIPATE: To set free from slavery. ‘He is going to emancipate his slaves’ = He is going to set his slaves free.

EMANCIPATION: To end the institute of slavery. I am for emancipation– I am for ending slavery.