Forms of Slave Protest

Question 1

the conditions of slavery that encouraged slave protest

Answer 1

1. the harshness of slave laws
2. the difficulty of securing manumission encouraged slaves to protest and rebel to gain freedom another way
3. the verbal, psychological dehumanisation and psyhical abuse of slaves
4. sexual abuse
5. the difficulties of maintaining family life being broken up
6. the suppression of their culture, homesick
7. the death and abuse of their children caused female slaves to run away

Question 2

Non-insurrectionary (non violent) passive methods

Answer 2

1. malingering refusal to work- faking and/or causing illnesses, made themselves limp, reopened sores
2. frequent requests to use the bathroom
3. pretending to be stupid
4. flatter whites to get benefits
5. cultural resistance- practiced their customs, obeah, music etc
6. re-establisng family ties
7. development of creole language
8. maroonage by land and by sea
9. suicide

Question 3

insurrectionary (more extreme/active) methods

Answer 3

1. industrial sabotage- arson
2. killing livestock
3. destruction of carts, machinery, mills
4. murder of whites
5. rebellions and revolts

Question 4

female resistance/protest

Answer 4

1. used periods of child bearing to do the minimum work
2. took full advantage of their menstrual process exaggerated cramps
3. prolonged lactation
4. they committed abortion
5. they committed infanticide
6. they verbally fought back to their superiors, their intentional quarrelsomeness was a nuisance to the planters
7. they made up satirical songs- mocked them without fear
8. manipulated sexual relationships with white plantation officers and had intimate relaionships with wives of

Question 5

how the masters punished female slaves

Answer 5

1. withheld the minimum amount of food and clothing that was supposed to be given
2. depriving them of holidays and time off during pregnancy
3. extending working hrs
4. punishing them excessively

Question 6

why female sl aborted eating certain herbs

Answer 6

1. some were impregnated by whites who raped them
2. pregnant women were not spared the whip therefore there was a strong possibility of a miscarriage anyway
3. had to work until just before birth could not cope with harshness
4. infant mortality rate was high..bc of improper care of children born in slavery
5. didnot want their child to be subjected to the cruelty of slavery
6. relocation
7. did not want to be mothers difficult to care for children.