RESISTANCE AND REVOLTS Forms and measures of Slave Control Slave control refers to the various methods used by the planters or slave owners in order to keep the slaves subjected and in an inferior position. Psychological- constantly proclaiming in word and by deed that the Negro was inferior to the white man. Cultural- prohibiting the use of African languages and practice of African religions and customs. Physical- the establishment and maintenance of police and military forces intended to prevent or punish slave insurrection. Social- the practice of rewarding those slaves who acted as informants or who in other ways assisted the masters against their fellow slaves. Economical- preventing them from earning money which they could use to purchase their freedom. Although many British West Indian planters were not enthusiastic about Christianizing their slaves and many of them made life difficult for the Non- Conformist Missionaries who sought to work among the slaves, some of these planters, particularly in smaller islands like Antigua, were willing to grant missionaries permission to enter their plantations. Some planters welcomed the work of the missionaries in making the slaves more loyal. The Christian principles that were taught by the missionaries might have helped to prevent slaves and gang uprisings. Slaves could not own property without the master’s consent. Their provision grounds were kept small so as to keep them from earning a sizeable income or reaping food. There were laws that prevented slaves from rendering services in town. Slaves were only allowed one market day, initially Sunday. They were also forbidden to sell sugar, fire wood and from trading in a great variety of articles such as horses and cattle. Shopkeepers in town could not buy from slaves. All of these were economic methods of slave control used by the planters to keep the slaves dependent on them and less likely to free themselves from their terrible situation. Slave laws were introduced into the colonies and were the main method used to control slaves. British Slave Laws A slave could not own property.
RESISTANCE AND REVOLTS Forms and measures of Slave Control Slave control refers to the various methods used by the planters or slave owners in order to keep the slaves subjected and in an inferior position. Psychological- constantly proclaiming in word and by deed that the Negro was inferior to the white man. Cultural- prohibiting the use of African languages and practice of African religions and customs. Physical- the establishment and maintenance of police and military forces intended to prevent or punish slave insurrection. Social- the practice of rewarding those slaves who acted as informants or who in other ways assisted the masters against their fellow slaves. Economical- preventing them from earning money which they could use to purchase their freedom. Although many British West Indian planters were not enthusiastic about Christianizing their slaves and many of them made life difficult for the Non- Conformist Missionaries who sought to work among the slaves, some of these planters, particularly in smaller islands like Antigua, were willing to grant missionaries permission to enter their plantations. Some planters welcomed the work of the missionaries in making the slaves more loyal. The Christian principles that were taught by the missionaries might have helped to prevent slaves and gang uprisings. Slaves could not own property without the master’s consent. Their provision grounds were kept small so as to keep them from earning a sizeable income or reaping food. There were laws that prevented slaves from rendering services in town. Slaves were only allowed one market day, initially Sunday. They were also forbidden to sell sugar, fire wood and from trading in a great variety of articles such as horses and cattle. Shopkeepers in town could not buy from slaves. All of these were economic methods of slave control used by the planters to keep the slaves dependent on them and less likely to free themselves from their terrible situation. Slave laws were introduced into the colonies and were the main method used to control slaves. British Slave Laws A slave could not own property.