Lesson 5: Slavery in the British Colonies

Slavery in the Colonies

How was chattel slavery similar or different from the encomienda system or indentured servitude?

Given that slavery was a terrible institution, were all slaves treated equally throughout the colonies?

What's the difference between the gang system and task system?

How did slaves resist?

Slave Resistance and Revolts

"Day-to-day resistance" was the most common form of opposition to slavery. Breaking tools, feigning illness, staging slowdowns, and committing acts of arson and sabotage--all were forms of resistance and expression of slaves' alienation from their masters (source). 

Resistance to slavery can be categorized as either overt or covert.

• Day-to-day resistance

• Runaway and escape --> maroon communities

• Violent defense --> Stono Rebellion 1739