Question

PROJECT: SLAVE CODES Slave laws, called slave codes, varied in detail from state to state but were generally restrictive and negative, and strengthened during periods of increased abolitionist activity. Slaves that broke any of the laws or codes were tried in regular courts or slave tribunals. The usual punishment for an infraction was whipping; but branding, imprisonment, or execution were the punishments for more serious offenses. Use an encyclopedia, the Internet, or other sources to research the slave codes. Then write a 500 word report. The following questions are offered as guidelines to address in your report. You are not limited to this list. Possible questions: 1. What specific restrictions were placed on slaves? Were the same restrictions placed on free blacks? 2. How did free blacks respond to the slave codes? 3. What did abolitionists do in response to the slave codes? 4. When and how did the codes change? When and how were slave codes eliminated?

Answer 1

Slaves were not allowed to own a property, participate in social activities such as elections and were not given a humane treatment. Due to discrimination black skinned individuals who were deemed as free men were given the same restrictions. 2. How did free blacks respond to the slave codes? Slavery in the Americas introduced the troubling element of race into the master/slave relationship. For the first time in history, dark skin became the social marker of chattel slavery. And, as a means of justifying this new face which is a black face given to an ancient practice, the slavers and their supporters created a race-specific ideology of condemnation. Two and one-quarter centuries of human debasement and degradation denied slaves, not only their basic humanity, but also the opportunity to develop resources that could be used for their own empowerment and later bequeathed to future generations of blacks. Slavery harmed the slaves by creating capital deficiencies or developmental.