Slavery- The Road to Civil War

Slavery was a period of time when Africans were considered as tools and properties. They were dehumanized and were thought of as 3/5 of a person. Their bitter history is being recognized and passed down from century to century, telling their sorrowful tales and their hardships. From the first African slave arrival in 1619 to the final farewell in 1865, their past will be revealed and shared right here. 

Work: There were three types of slaves: rice slaves, cotton slaves and house slaves. The cotton slaves had the gang system(division of labor within slavery on a plantation) that forced them to work continuously throughout the day. The gang system was divided into three groups. The first group, being the hardest group, was given the hardest tasks and work, and it was usually assigned to handy slaves. The second group was for the less able group, such as teenagers, elders, or unwell slaves. The third group had the easiest tasks, and they were usually the favorites of the masters'. The rice slaves were assigned the task system, and it was less harsh than the gang system. The slaves were given assigned work times and after work hours, they were grant freedom for the rest of the day. The house slaves usually were the masters' favorites. Their job was to clean, cook and garden for their owners. The slaves were given rations, although some receive more because they were closer to the master. They live in cabins in the main house of behind the house and they lived in quarters and they had the same constrained plots used to grow food for themselves. they had few furniture and only one room. 

Family and Religion: Slave marriage was not legal, and if two were to fall in love and have children, they could be easily separated due to selling auctions. There were religious services on the plantation that they worked on. The slaves prayed in hope and justice and were very religious because God provided a sense of peace and comfort for them. And they believed that once they descend to heaven, they will have equal rights. If they were to attend the services, there had to be a white man so that way, it will prevent rebellions and other disturbance. Masters believed that religious services made their slaves more obedient so that was why slaves were allowed to attend the services.

Slave Laws and Resistance: Slaves were not allowed to be taught to read and write because that way it's easier for them to gain control for rights and freedom. They also couldn't travel without a pass from their owners and they couldn't own property. If they were to be trialed in court, they would lose every time because slaves were not allowed to testify against white. If slaves was involved in a rebellion, and murdered someone, they were given the death penalty. Some masters believe that their slaves should be free, and most times, free slaves were sent to Liberia.

Fugitive Slaves and Abolitionists: Abolitionists wanted freedom and equal rights for everyone.They were determined and proud of what they wanted and who they were. They believed in doing good deeds to show their religion. Some slaves are driven to the point where they are so overworked and mistreated, that they do thing like self-harm and even attempt suicide to abstain from being sold again. Because if there's something wrong with them, they won't have to work anymore. When slaves escape as a sign of rebellion, masters put up signs and offer rewards to those who finds the slaves. The posters are just like a lost dog or lost cat sign, except the owners offer a large sum of money.

Georgia's Slave Codes: The slave codes are cruel and unreasonable, but people were not hesitant to use it. It was absolute torture for the slaves. Some of the slave codes are, people are paid to punish slaves; If slaves are caught without a pass, are punished; Giving a pass to a slave that you don't own, you will be charged three pounds; killing a slave, you are charged fifty pounds. 

Frederick Douglass's Autobiographical Proof: Slave children were separated from parents almost immediately, because it was a way to dehumanize slaves and make them seem more like tools instead of human beings. The children never learned their real birthday or age.Slaves owners had their slaves raise children only to sell them afterwards. Slaves were whipped cut and brutally hurt.