All About Slavery

The first slaves were brought to America 12 years after Jamestown was settled. During the first years of slavery, northern slaves worked on tobacco plantations, and Southern slaves worked in marshy rice fields. Cotton plantations did not become popular until after America gained its independence. Slaves had a variety of tasks, ranging from household slavery, which including cleaning, cooking and other household tasks, to outdoor slavery, which involved working out in the cotton, rice, or tobacco fields or plantations.  

 Slaves working in Cotton fields
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There were also many strict slave laws, or codes. In Georgia, for example, codes prohibited slaves from reading, writing or owning land or property. Other codes prevented slaves from testifying against whites, if slaves rebelled, the price was often death, and if a master forced his slave to beat a drum and blow a horn, the master would pay a fine.

Although many were Americans supported slavery, some were against it. These people were known as abolitionists. Abolitionists were very proud of their opposition to slavery and believed that no bribe could change their views.John  Brown was one of the most determined abolitionists. He tried to raid a Federal armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, where many weapons were stored, believing that this was one way to put a stop to slavery. The raid was unsuccessful, however, and Brown and his men were captured. Brown was tried and hanged.  

John Brown, Abolitionist

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Many slaves believed they could prevent being sold by harming themselves. A slave would cut off two fingers, for example, to discourage buyers when he went up for action. The loss of two fingers was also a reason not to do any work. 

If a slave ran away, a master would often post a flyer announcing his escape and offering a reward for capture of the runaway. If a slave was caught, he was either whipped, or given a slave collar, which was a piece of metal worn around the neck. Slave collars had bells attached, ensuring slaves could always be heard by the master.

Runaway Slave Announcement

http://www.umbc.edu/che/tahlessons/pdf/Runaway_Slaves_From_the_Revolution_to_the_New_Republic(PrinterFriendly).pdf