How SLAVERY Shaped the British Colonies [APUSH Review]

Causes and Effects of Slavery in the British Colonies

Overview of Slavery's Presence

• The discussion begins with an acknowledgment that slavery is a difficult topic but essential to understand.

• Slavery existed in all British colonies due to high demand for labor, which generated significant wealth for the British crown.

Geographical Concentration of Slavery

• A spatial pattern shows fewer enslaved people in the North, with reliance increasing as one moves southward.

• New England had small family farms with minimal enslaved Africans compared to other regions; most were imported in small numbers.

• The Chesapeake region saw a rapid increase in enslaved Africans due to favorable climate conditions for large-scale plantations, particularly tobacco.

Racial Dynamics and Legal Framework

• In the British West Indies, enslaved Africans outnumbered whites 4:1, leading to heightened control measures by white planters.

• Chattel slavery became prevalent, defining enslaved individuals as property without rights; this was codified through laws like the Barbados slave code.

Transition from Indentured Servitude to Racialized Slavery

• Initially, indentured servants (both black and white) performed much of the labor; contracts allowed them passage to America in exchange for work.

• A pivotal moment occurred when John Punch, a black indentured servant, was sentenced to lifelong slavery after running away—marking a shift towards race-based slavery.

Decline of Indentured Servitude

• The attractiveness of indentured servitude diminished as land became scarce for freed workers post-contract completion.

Bacon's Rebellion and Its Impact on Labor Systems

Overview of Bacon's Rebellion

• The rebellion was sparked by disgruntled indentured servants in Virginia, leading to a response from Governor William Berkeley who revoked their voting rights.

• Nathaniel Bacon led the disenfranchised farmers against Berkeley, primarily due to perceived favoritism towards the Virginia elite and neglect of frontier farmers' needs.

Consequences of the Rebellion

• The rebellion marked a significant shift in labor systems within the American colonies, transitioning from indentured servitude to an increased reliance on enslaved Africans.

• Both free and enslaved black individuals participated in the rebellion, highlighting a lack of racial division among those involved; they were united by their shared grievances as poor individuals.

Shift Towards Racialized Slavery

• In response to fears of further rebellions, wealthy planters began implementing slave codes that established a racial hierarchy, ensuring poor whites felt superior to blacks regardless of wealth.

• Enslaved Africans did not accept their condition willingly; historical misconceptions about contentment among enslaved people are challenged by evidence of resistance and escape attempts.

Forms of Resistance Among Enslaved People

• Covert resistance included maintaining family structures secretly and subtle acts like working slowly or breaking tools to hinder plantation productivity.

• Cultural retention was vital for enslaved people; they preserved traditions from Africa while blending them with European and indigenous influences, creating unique cultural expressions.

Notable Slave Rebellions

• The first recorded slave rebellion in New York City involved arson and violence against white citizens, signaling deep discontent among enslaved workers.

• In Jamaica, maroon societies led successful resistance against British planters for over a decade until treaties recognized their freedom in 1740.

Stono Rebellion: A Significant Uprising

• The Stono Rebellion in South Carolina (1739), where recently arrived enslaved people attacked plantations, demonstrated escalating tensions between slaves and planters.

• Although ultimately suppressed by militia forces, such rebellions instilled fear in southern planters leading to harsher slave codes aimed at preventing future uprisings.

Conclusion on Slavery's Evolution

• The aftermath of these rebellions solidified slavery's brutal nature within southern colonies as planters sought stricter controls over enslaved populations.