Slavery in America

1. Slavery in America

3. The Auction • Once off the boat from Africa, slaves would be thrown into pens and be sold at an auction • Most families would be split up as many bidders didn’t want to buy the whole family • Many slaves were “doctored” (greased up and added with tar) to make them look more desirable . The better you looked, the more money you’d bring as more people would want to buy you.

4. Types of auctions • There were two types of auctions- • Highest bidder • Grab and Go Auctions • Highest Bidder • Raised on a platform, inspected and sold at the highest price • Grab and Go • Buyers would pay a set amount of money for a number of slaves. • When the pens opened, the buyers would grab the slaves they wanted.

5. Response • What would your response be if you were being sold at an auction? How would that make you feel as a human being?

6. Underground railroad • The terms “underground” and “railroad” are symbolic terms – There really wasn’t a railroad that went underground. • The UGRR was an organized system to assist runaway slaves to freedom, particularly to the North. • ELEMENTS TO THE UGRR • “Depots” or “Stations” – homes/businesses where slaves would rest/eat • “Stationmaster” – person who ran a depot or station • “Stockholder” – those who contributed money or goods • “Conductor” – Person responsible for moving slaves from one station to the next

7. Ugrr cont. • Many individuals participated – many whites, but predominantly blacks (free or not) ran the UGRR • Methods of escape: • Slaves would travel through routes that were told by word of mouth, through stories or through songs. • Most travelled at night on foot and went from station to station

8. thoughts • What do you think would happen to those if they were caught helping runaway slaves?

9. Slave life • Clothing – Slaves were not well-clothed • Children wore long shirts • Many slaves were provided with four shirts all year (2 for winter and 2 for summer), a pair of pants. Clothing was poorly made • Home Life • Plantation slaves would have small cabins • Dirt floors, rotting wood, leaky ceilings. • Disease spread easily

10. Slave life • Diseases • Hot and humid temps led to a disease filled environment • Lack of medical knowledge led to many deaths • Malaria, pneumonia, dysentery and more • Food • Imbalanced meals • Barely enough to live off of

12. Picture response • Why do you think a slave owner would allow a slave family to have a large number of children?

13. Thoughts • Put yourself in the shoes of a slave, how would your life be different if you lived during the 1800’s?

14. punishment • Slaves had no rights – Owners could do whatever they liked with their slaves (harsh punishments) • They could be punished for many things • Resisting, laziness, excessive talking, stealing, killing and running away • Punishments included: • Shackling, pain contraptions, chained to the ground, whipped, walking/marching or being hung

15. Thoughts • How does it make you feel emotionally when you see/read these punishments that were used on slaves? Why?

17. Abolitionist movement • Abolish – to get rid of • An abolitionist is somebody who wants to get rid of slavery • Abolitionists claimed that slavery was: • Anti-Christian – All men are created equal • Goes against the American way of life, which is freedom • It was a waste of physical labor, lives and goodwill • Politically dangerous and a harm to our country’s safety. Slaves would likely revolt and start a war

18. thoughts • If you lived during this time period, would you be a part of the abolitionist movement? Why/why not?