Social Studies Notes

1. 7.2 – Life in the
South

2. Slavery and Society
 Slaves were allowed in America for over 300 years.
 They were treated poorly, although some slave
owners did care for their slaves.
 They were beaten if they did not work hard for
their owners.
 Children born to a slave were owned by the same
slaver.
 Would break tools and work slowly to rebel
against their owners.
 Had very strong Christian faith and singing was a
common way to practice faith.

3. A Farming Economy
 Plantations – large farms
 Most plantations were like small villages
 Overseer – in charge of slaves
 Had carpenters, cooks, and other
workers
 Had all of the amenities of a small city

5. Free Africans
 Some slaves were able to buy their
freedom
 Some slaves ran away.
 If they weren’t captured, they would go
to Spanish Florida
 Black Seminoles – runaway slaves who
adopted the Seminole Native American
culture
 Fort Mose – first settlement for free
Africans on the North American
continent.

6. Slave Work Song – “I Be So Glad When
the Sun Goes Down”
 What thoughts and feelings do you
have about the song?
 What does this song feel like? Is it
happy? Sad?
 What sound is in the background
keeping tempo?

7. Discussion Questions
 Why was the economy of the southern colonies
dependent on plantations when most colonists
worked on small farms?
 In what ways did enslaved people keep their culture
alive?
 What is the difference between the owner of a
plantation and an overseer?