Slavery is Necessary
There were many people during this time that believed that slavery was necessary. They believed it would help build our businesses and trade with other countries. This would help the economy of the United States of America. That is why they brought so many Africans to America to be sold to business men to work in their factories and plantations. These slave owners believed they were helping the slaves because they were giving them a place to live and food to eat. This is seen in many pro-slavery books and illustrations of the time. Many slaves sang songs that would discuss how their masters felt about slavery.
Source: Book called "The Planter's Northern Bride." written in 1958 by Caroline Lee Lentz in response to anti-slavery books like "Uncle Tom's Cabin." This story shows white planation owner who treated his slaves. In the end the slaves turn against their master, even though they were so kind to them.
Source: "Cotton Slavery" (1840's). Newspaper illustration showing how Africans better off as slaves in America
A slave song:
We raise de wheat,
Dey gib us de corn;
We bake de bread,
Dey gib us de crust,
We sif de meal,
Dey gib us de huss;
We peel de meat,
Dey gib us de skin;
And dat's de way
Dey take us in;
We skim de pot,
Dey gib us de liquor,
An say dat's good enough for nigger.
Source: Lawrence Levine (Black Culture and Black Consciousness) gives a picture of a rich culture among slaves. This song tells us how the slaves believed their master's felt about slavery and what they were doing for them.
We raise de wheat,
Dey gib us de corn;
We bake de bread,
Dey gib us de crust,
We sif de meal,
Dey gib us de huss;
We peel de meat,
Dey gib us de skin;
And dat's de way
Dey take us in;
We skim de pot,
Dey gib us de liquor,
An say dat's good enough for nigger.
Source: Lawrence Levine (Black Culture and Black Consciousness) gives a picture of a rich culture among slaves. This song tells us how the slaves believed their master's felt about slavery and what they were doing for them.
Source: Cotton and Population Chart 1790 - 1860. Showing how the economy grew because of the growth in the slave population.
Directions: Examine these sources and answer the questions below.
What do you think the slave song means? Give evidence to support your answer.
What do the pictures tell you about how the whites felt about slavery?
How did the slaves use songs in their daily lives?
Based on the slave song above, what sense do you get about how black felt about their masters?
What do the pictures tell you about how the whites felt about slavery?
How did the slaves use songs in their daily lives?
Based on the slave song above, what sense do you get about how black felt about their masters?