Mini Drama Notes
Slavery
Slave Auctions
Slave Auctions
• Many families broken apart at auctions
• Auctions started on the signal of a drum
• Slaves fed well a few days leading to auction.
Grease put around mouth to make it look like
they had eaten plenty of meat
• Slaves completely examined before auction.
Teeth, muscles, forced to move different
ways…etc.
Slave Children
Children
• Children viewed as property of the master, not
the mother.
• Mothers worked up until birth
• Some children were brought to the fields while
parents worked, others stayed in a nursery at the
plantation
• Many owners did not want children to learn to
read
• Most children started working at age 12-14 in
fields
Field Work
Field Work
• Regular working day was from before sunrise to after
sunset
• Fastest worker put in front row and if others didn’t
keep up they were flogged
• Slaves were given sacks to fill with cotton. They were
beaten if sacks were not full enough
• Overseer- man on horse supervised slaves at work
• Lunch time consisted of 10-15 minute break with cold
bacon
• They didn’t dare stop working no matter how late until
command was given by slave driver
Domestic Work
Domestic Work
• Domestic Work- Work done inside the house
• Slaves would have work to do in their own
cabin as well as owners house
• Slaves were taught that domestic work was
the highest honor
• Fanned owners while they slept
Passive Resistance
Passive Resistance
• Resisted through songs with secret messages
of escape, sabotage, refusing to work, and
assisting others to escape.
• Some slaves broke tools or tried to poison the
owner.
• Some slaves pretended to be sick, blind,
insane, or dumb
• Used music as a way of communication.
Religion
Religion
• Owners used religion to tell slaves it was their
duty to follow the master’s orders.
• Whites would sit in on church service to make
sure the preachers said things they wanted
• Slaves had secret religious services at night.
Sang “Steal Away to Jesus” which was a code
meaning there would be a secret service that
night.
Family
Family
• Slave families were torn apart at the auction
block.
• Slaves had their own chores to do after the slave
work was finished for the day.
• Cabins made of logs let in light, water, and cold
air
• Girls were forced to marry and they would
sometimes jump over the broom together
(African custom).
• Girls married at 12 or 13.
• Some mothers poisoned their children
Runaways
Runaways
• Slaves who were captured would be beaten or
even killed.
• Some slaves turned others in for fear of being
beaten if they didn’t.
• Slaves tried to escape to Canada for freedom.
• Slaves followed the north star when it was dark.
• Slaves were caught most of the time.
• Underground railroad helped many slaves escape.