The Pros And Cons Of Brutal Treatment Of Slaves

According to Liza Fox, coping with brutal treatment wasn’t easy. From 1750 to 1901 slaves were treated so inhumanly with no respect. Along the way there were many advantages and disadvantages. Slaves perused to keep working hard so they could head home to their families, otherwise several would die because of the brutality in the environment and the torturous treatment. Every slave used different ways to cope as they all felt differently about this setting. The most common coping grounds included entertainment, rebellion and distractions. From the very beginning slaves had to endure brutal conditions and these were the common copying procedures. (ASK FOR HELP)

Rebellion was a frequent coping ground for many slaves as majority were so jaded by the way their masters were treating them. They used acts of rebellion to help them cope as they were so irritated by the brutality and the inhumane treatment. escaping would be a risky option as it would only work if you were on dry land. Escaping would include effectively making sure no individual was watching, the preparation was lengthy and when the time was right it was manifested. Most masters wouldn’t recognize they had escaped because they couldn’t keep count. For example: Slaves would wait until dusk as they had more of a chance to retreat, this

was because they pretended to act as their masters and deliver notes. Or dress up as their masters pretending they were going to work. “Patrick Holland” who ran a stable, transported numerous slaves across the Christina River underneath products he pretended to be delivering. When he crossed the Christina River, three of his brothers and several other slaves were hidden in straw covered wagons pulled up by bricklayers.

Additionally, revenge was another use of rebellion as slaves would betray against their own master by bringing harm to them, (Slaughtering or beatings,).

Slaves would take their learning skills from the past to construct distinctive tools for the use of murder. This would include: Knives, axes, whips and guns. This procedure took preparation and time. Several were caught as they weren’t careful, this ended in the result of a painful death but other’s got away easily. According to Evan Andrew’s piece about the Spartacus and the Third Servile War, Spartacus was a group of small slaves from a gladiator school that escaped using kitchen utensils and weapons to harm their

leaders.

Entertainment was another coping ground for many slaves as it took their mind of things that didn’t want to be thought about. (normal everyday routine). Slaves that chose to entertain themselves didn’t want to risk violating their master in the possible outcome of being brutally punished for escaping etc. Additionally, they chose entertainment as an advantage because they got to look forward to something after their long day’s work. This included dancing, singing or talking with friends or other new people they have met along the way. These activities were permitted when work was completely finished. The masters would still be watched cautiously, but knowing they were allowed to do something that was some sort fun was an enjoyment for most at the end of the day. “Stephen Doster” describes slaves using these activities (dancing, singing, talking) as leisure. Leisure activities would be any activity of their choice. Many looked forward to the end of the day as it’s the “break the routine of harsh daily existence. Although some slaves had activities with restrictions because of their behaviour on that day when working.

Conversation was additionally another use of entertainment for a large number of slaves as they enjoyed encountering new people. This would give them the opportunity for close relationship bonding’s. They liked having people to talk to as it provided slaves with comfort. If they were worried about something, they would talk to people they’ve met. Even if they weren’t close at first this would gradually grow in time of producing a close relationship with someone. Although some were isolated and desired company.

Distraction was what slaves used to get away from their everyday lives. They would go to church as this was a common strategy to cope. Majority of slaves enjoyed learning about religion. Most liked to combine their own religion with Christianity because they wanted to believe in both. They also just wanted to do something other than working. They had permission to go to church after working hours. They made sure this wasn’t a disruption with their working hours of being a slave.

In conclusion, these were the common strategies of how slaves would cope during working as a slave. Majority wanted to get their mind of working as a slave. This was illustrated thoroughly through these examples that I displayed. It also gives the reader better understanding of in the way they chose to cope and why? and what were their masters doing that they chose to do these things so badly.