A written legal code would be am improvement over an oral set of laws because citizens may forget laws, depending on how much there are. Having them written, where everyone can read it, may help them better understand and remember the acts/laws.
The climate of East Africa is rather atypical of equatorial regions. Because of a combination of the region's generally high altitude and the rain shadow of the westerly monsoon winds created by the Rwenzori Mountains and Ethiopian Highlands, East Africa is surprisingly cool and dry for its latitude. If it is different maybe it will took long before it will develop. It developed because it was a strategic location for trade with other countries. If its is an inland or mountain area, it would not be the center of trade so the development will much be slower.
One form of resistance was slowing down the picking of cotton. Slaves would intentionally go slower so that they could have an easier time in the fields. This was combatted by the Southern Plantation owners after a while by whipping the slaves severely during their first picks and then mandating that they had to pick at least as much cotton every time after.
Another form of resistance was to run away. The Underground Railroad helped thousands of slaves escape to the north and to freedom.
