what was it like to work on a sugar plantation?

Question 1

what was the average amount of time that slaves worked for?

Answer 1

around 7 years

Question 2

were slaves given a new name?

Answer 2

yes

Question 3

what did most slaves do on the plantations?

Answer 3

Ground had to be dug, hoed, weeded, sugar cane planted in the hot sun. Cut the sugar cane and load it onto carts.

Question 4

how many hours did slaves work a day?

Answer 4

up to 18 hours a day

Question 5

what did child slaves have to do on plantations?

Answer 5

Child slaves were organised to do weeding or collect grass to feed cattle.

Question 6

did pregnant women have to work?

Answer 6

yes they would be made to work up until the birth of their child and then the child would be forced to work on the plantations.

Question 7

what were some forms of punishment used by slave owners?

Answer 7

floggings and beatings, wearing a ‘Branks’ [iron muzzle] thumbscrews, halters around their necks, public execution, being sold away from family.

Question 8

what other types of jobs did slaves have to do?

Answer 8

some had to be Drivers, road building, weaving, carpentry.
Domestic slaves worked in the owners’ house, cooking, maids, doing laundry and nannies.
Gardening and farming
Some were taught to read and write so they could become bookkeepers.