Source Revision: Slave treatment

Question 1

Historical Debate over Slave Conditions

Answer 1

Genovese stated in his book ‘Roll Jordan, Roll’ that slaves lived in terrible conditions and were physically and sexually abused.
However, Fogel & Engerman said slavery was not only “efficient and profitable” but the slaves were well treated.

Question 2

Cotton Workers

Answer 2

‘King Cotton’ 1793 Eli Whitney. Field work collecting cotton in sun. Hard Labour

Question 3

Poor life expectancy

Answer 3

1860 Census 3.5% of black slaves lived up to 60 compared to 4.4% of poor whites

Question 4

Poor housing

Answer 4

Housing were wooden cabins that were cramped, windows without glass and had earth floors.

Question 5

Poor diet

Answer 5

Diet was a high calorie meals of bad cuts of pork and corn. Not nutritious

Question 6

Harsh Punishments

Answer 6

Punishments like floggings, brandings and mutilations were common.

Question 7

Slave revolts

Answer 7

Nat Turner Revolt lasted 2 days and involved 80 slaves . Afterwards 100 slaves were lynched.

Question 8

Psychological Impacts

Answer 8

Elkin argued that “slavery crippled the slave personality”. Harsh punishments left slaves weak and psychologically damaged.

Question 9

Slave families

Answer 9

Estimated 33% of slave marriages were broken up by a partner being sold.

Question 10

Sexual exploitation

Answer 10

Female slaves were often raped or sexually exploited by white slave owners.

Question 11

Property

Answer 11

Slaves were treated awfully due to being treated like property.

Question 12

All 10 reasons

Answer 12

• Property
• Sexual Exploitation
• Slave Families
• Psychological Impact
• Slave Revolts
• Harsh Punishments
• Poor diet
• Poor housing
• Poor Life Expectancy
• Cotton Workers