Slave
Resistance &
Rebellion
How did slaves
resist their masters?
Reasons for Resistance
 Daily discontent and
desperation
 Secure family lives
Strategies
 Slacked off work when not
watched
 Sabotage equipment
 Carelessness towards work
 Theft of food/livestock/crops
 Drunk on stolen liquor
 Pregnancy to improve physical
conditions
 Negotiate for better working
conditions
Violence
 Attacked overseers or
masters
 Received punishments in
return – secured and
flogged, sold away,
hanged
Run-aways
 Underground Railroad
 Hid in the woods
Revolution
 Gabriel’s Revolution – Slave
Revolt in Richmond, Virginia
1800
 Denmark Vesey – Religious
leader in the black
community, bought his own
freedom (Charleston 1822)