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The majority of Southerners supported slavery, but some suggested that it was
unconstitutional.
Supporters claimed that slavery was the only way to have enough workers on each
plantation.
Supporters also claimed that they gave the slaves food, clothing, and a place to live.
Critics claimed that it hurt the economy.
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Being a slave driver was one of the worst jobs because he was picked
from the group of slaves to help manage slaves.
The owner loved the driver, but the driver’s fellow slaves hated him.
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Slaves’ punishments consisted of whipping, being sold “down river” and
being placed in the sweat box.
Whipping was the most common method of punishment around the colonies
because it was the easiest way to punish.
When slaves were sold down river, this meant they were being sent away
from their families and friends, which affected many slaves.
A sweat box is a box no taller than a normal man and no wider than a normal
man. The slave was placed in the box and stuck out in the open of a sunny
area or a cold and damp place.
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Slaves dealt with their hardships by talking to their family and friends,
practicing their religion, telling folktales and jokes, and teaching the
younger slaves their history.
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Nat Turner was a slave that lived in Virginia.
Nat Turner believed that his mission from God was to free the slaves.
Nat led a rebellion that killed his owner and 60 other men.
Virginia organized an army to hunt for Nat.
During their search, the army killed over 100 slaves.
Nat was found and later hanged.
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This was a system that Whites and African Americans helped slaves escape to
Mexico, the North, and Canada.
During the day, slaves would stay at these safe houses, and at night slaves would
travel to other safe houses until it was safe enough to go on their own.
Harriet Tubman was one of the main contributors of the Underground Railroad.
She made 19 trips to save other slaves and her parents.
She saved over 300 slaves.