2. Today’s lesson
We are developing our knowledge of how and why Slaves
resisted in the plantations
Today will be able to:
1) Describe the different ways slaves tried to resist.
2) Explain how successful these attempts at resistance were.
Today’s lesson will involve:
1) Note taking
2) Reading task
3. Slave resistance
Slave resistance often took place on the plantations in two
ways:
1) Passive resistance – This was when slaves did not
complete their jobs properly. Examples include turning
up late for work. This was successful as slave owners
found this difficult to prove.
2) Active resistance –This was when slaves turned violent
and included slaves attacking owners/property.
The success of such resistance was based on two issues:
1) The impact on the owner – if the owner was losing
money they would often cave into the demands.
2) If the slaves got better treatment they did not resist and
were more productive on the plantations.
4. Examples of Slave Resistance
Slaves used resistance to achieve different outcomes. Some hoped to scare
their masters or cost their masters money so they were treated better. Some
mainly just wanted to hurt their masters.
Many passive resistance actions used by slaves included: being late for work,
claiming to be ill, not working hard and pretending not to understand
instructions.
Some slaves managed to escape and run away. However many were caught
by Slave hunters. However in the USA, a secret group known as the
Underground Railroad helped slaves escape.
Some slaves were violent towards their owners by physically attacking them,
poisoning them or in some cases – killing them. An example is in Virginia Nat
Turner led a slave group to freedom that led to the deaths of 60 white men.
5. Effectiveness of Slave resistance
There are many reasons why slave resistance was not effective including:
1) Threat of punishment. Many slaves did not rebel because they knew they
would get punished, some even did not rebel in fear that their treatment
would get worse, not better.
2) Slave hunters. These were a group of people employed by the owner to
hunt down runaway slaves and capture them back.
3) Location. Running away was hard in the Caribbean because of its many
island locations, slaves did not have boats and were often trapped.
4) Divisions between slaves. Some slaves supported rebellion and some did
not, those who did not would warn the owner.
5) Stronger owners. Owners had weapons such as guns, whereas the slaves
did not. Owners were also healthier due to their diet so they were more
likely to be stronger.
6. Exam questions
1) Explain why slave resistance on the plantations was mainly
unsuccessful? – 6 Marks
2) Describe the different way slaves resisted in the plantations – 4
marks.
