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To what extent was working on the plantations as a slave better than…
To what extent was working on the plantations as a slave better than domestic slaves.
Illness
Many salves became ill
From physically demanding work, poor living conditions and difficult environment
Owner thought they were faking to avoid work
Were punished for it
treatment
Wife of owner treated the ill
They thought if they got an access to medicine, they would poison owners
Herbal remedies
Brought from Africa
Slaves suffered appalling conditions and cruelty.
Plantation Life
Tended labour intensive crops
Tobacco
Cotton
Rice
Working in rice field were unhealthy
Worked for weeks in muddy water, heat
Perfect condition for diseases
Rice plantations the harshness of the working environment
Sugar
Growing sugar was grueling work
12 hours daily
Men, women, children and the elderly worked from dawn until dusk under the orders of a white overseer
Arriving for work at dawn, the slaves only stopped for rest and food at breakfast and lunchtime, after which they worked until nightfall. After returning to their living quarters, they would often still have chores to do before going to bed.
During harvest time, slaves worked in shifts of up to 18 hours a day.
Worked outside
Weeding
Pulling up stones
Spreading manure
Planting crops
Cutting wood
Looking after animals
The toughest work – planting, manuring, and cane-cutting
Overseer threatened the salves with physical punishment
If they survived the voyage from Africa, then life on the West Indian plantations was harsh.
On the plantation slaves continued their harsh existence
Plantation slaves were expected to work as and when their owners and ‘overseers’ dictated.
Family/Home Life
Couldn't experience normal family life
When they arrived in the Americas, children and parents sold separately
They were encouraged to get married
The owner wanted children so there were future generations or slaves
They thought if males were married they wouldn’t run away
Cause less problems
Slave women were always prey to the predatory sexual habits of their masters.
Some salves were raped by the owners
Causing mix-raced babies
Mix-raced babies know as mulattoes
Their faiths and religions were derived from Africa, though often altered by life in the Americas.
Although cultures differed from one colony to another, they all shared certain features.
Punishment/Treatment
Controlled through punishment
Punishment happened daily
Most common was whip
10-100 lashes for small errors
Forced to wear an iron ring around their neck
Couldn't lie down
Iron muzzle
Couldn’t talk
Some slaves resisted by rebelling or trying to escape
If they tried to escape, they would be branded with got irons or tied up or hung-over open fire..
Beaten so bad they died as a result of injures
White masters had complete control over the lives of their slaves and treated them like mere property.
Treated poorly
House Slaves
Had many daily tasks
Worked in houses of plantation owners
Cooking, cleaning, serve meals and looking after children
Seemed easier than field slaves but actually watch closely and would be punished for the smallest mistake.
Domestic slaves catered for every need of local owners and managers, White and mixed-race, in their homes.