Words and Stories

Accounts of colonial slavery

Quick Write
When we say a Quick Write what do we mean? Example: Quick Write: Do you or do you not think Isabel was treated fairly throughout Chains? Response: No, I do not think she was treated fairly. For starters, she had several people (both Patriot and Loyalist) lie to her and, secondly, Madam constantly laid hands on her. Quick Writes should take 2-3 sentences and only a few minutes.

Population Comparison
Quick Write: Recall at least two (2) effects (so natural resource, climate, geography, economy, etc.) which might explain why the southern colonies had so many more blacks in 1750 than the northern colonies.

Progression of Laws in Virginia

All colonies had laws regarding the rights of slaves and slave owners * 1662 - Possibility of life servitude for blacks * 1680s - Separate legal code established for blacks * 1691 - Banishment of white person who marries a black or mixed individual * 1705 - Legalizes dismembering unruly slaves Quick Write: In 2-3 sentences explain whether or not you feel the above laws represented the attitude of all colonists. Make sure to tell why you feel that way.

Colonist Quotes
If they could carry of and enslave us, would we think it just? - One would almost wish they could for once; it might convince more than reason, or the Bible - Thomas Paine Upon the death of my wife it is my Will and desire that all slaves which I hold in my own right, shall receive their freedom - George Washington The abolition of domestic slavery is the great object of desire in these colonies where it was unhappily introduced in their infant state. - Thomas Jefferson Quick Write: What did these founding fathers think regarding slavery? Included text based evidence in your answer.

From Phillis Wheatley

Not all slaves worked on plantations or were ill treated, however. A few, like Phillis Wheatley, were given great opportunity to pursue their own goals. Phillis Wheatley was a colonial poet who was also an African slave. She was well travelled and educated. The below is an exerpt from one of her poems: No more, America, in mournful strain Of wrongs, and grievance unredressd complain, No longer shalt thou dread the iron chain, Which wanton Tyranny with lawless hand Had made, and with it meant t enslave the land. Quick Write: Using the above poem as evidence, do you think Phillis had a different opinion of slavery than Isabel from Chains?

Modern Day Comparison

Quote: Based on the above quote, would you call the movement of Africans from Africa to America a voluntary or an involuntary migration? And, as always, explain why using text based evidence.