AP US History: Slavery in the Colonies - The Night Before Review

Hey! Let's get you totally prepped for the exam. We're going to break down everything you need to know about slavery in the colonies, making sure you're feeling confident and ready to ace it. Let's dive in!

1. Origins of Slavery in the Colonies

Early Labor Systems

• 1619: The first documented arrival of Africans in Virginia. Initially, many were treated as indentured servants.

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The Shift to Racialized Slavery

• Bacon's Rebellion (1676): A turning point. This revolt by poor white farmers created fear among the wealthy elite, who then sought a more controllable labor force.

* By **1700**, the system of racialized chattel slavery was firmly in place, with enslaved Africans being transported against their will.

The Middle Passage

• The horrific journey from West Africa to the Americas, lasting about 6 weeks.

* Enslaved people were chained below deck in brutal conditions.

Caption: "Stowage of the British slave ship Brookes under the regulated slave trade act of 1788,” showing the inhumane conditions of the Middle Passage. Even with regulations, the conditions were horrific.

2. The Triangular Trade

• A system of trade connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

The Trade Routes

• Europe to Africa: Manufactured goods (textiles, weapons, alcohol) were traded for enslaved people.
• Africa to the Americas: The Middle Passage, transporting enslaved people to the Americas.
• Americas to Europe: Raw materials (sugar, tobacco, coffee, cotton) were sent back to Europe.

Impact of the Triangular Trade

• Fueled the growth of slavery in the Americas and enriched European nations.
• Devastated African societies, leading to the loss of millions of people. 💔

3. Slavery in the Northern Colonies

• Slavery was legal but less prevalent than in the South due to smaller farms and limited soil.

* Slaves in the North worked as domestic servants, dockworkers, sailors, and craft workers. * Many slaves were freed by the early 19th century. * Even with fewer slaves, the North's economy was still tied to the South's slave-based agriculture through banking and shipping.

4. Slavery in the Southern Colonies

• Large agricultural plantations and cash crop economies led to a high demand for enslaved labor.

* * Initially, Georgia banned slavery, but it was legalized in 1750 due to pressure from other southerners.

5. Slaves' Resistance to Slavery

Overt Resistance

• Murdering owners, destroying property, escaping, and suicide.

* **Stono Rebellion (1739)**: A significant revolt in South Carolina where slaves seized arms and killed 25 whites. *

Covert Resistance

• Sabotage (slowing down work, damaging equipment).
• Using skills and knowledge to their advantage (e.g., medicinal plants).
• Maintaining culture and religion (music, dance, and the Baptist Church during the Great Awakening).

Cultural Resistance

• Development of African-American culture: religion, food, music, dance, and family.

6. Slave Laws

• Barbados Code (1661): Established that slaves were chattel (property) with no basic rights.

* Slaves could not travel without permission, gather in large numbers, marry, read, or serve on juries. * The laws created a strict racial hierarchy, with the descendants of enslaved mothers being considered slaves in perpetuity. *

Religious Justifications

• Some argued that slavery was divinely sanctioned and a means to Christianize Africans.

Final Exam Focus

• High-Priority Topics:
  • The transition from indentured servitude to chattel slavery.
  • The impact of Bacon's Rebellion.
  • The Triangular Trade and its consequences.
  • Regional differences in slavery (North vs. South).
  • Forms of resistance to slavery (overt and covert).
  • The legal framework of slavery (Barbados Code).
• Common Question Types:
  • Multiple-choice questions on the causes and effects of slavery.
  • Short-answer questions on regional differences and forms of resistance.
  • Free-response questions on the development of slavery and its impact on American society.
• Last-Minute Tips:
  • Manage your time wisely. Don't spend too long on any one question.
  • Read each question carefully and underline key terms.
  • Use your knowledge of historical context to support your answers.
  • Don't panic! You've got this. 💪

Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following best describes the primary cause of the shift from indentured servitude to chattel slavery in the late 17th century? (A) The decreasing number of European immigrants (B) The growing demand for labor on tobacco plantations (C) The fear of rebellion among poor white laborers (D) The influence of religious leaders advocating for slavery

2. The Triangular Trade system directly fostered the growth of which industry in the Americas? (A) Textile manufacturing (B) Shipbuilding (C) Plantation agriculture (D) Iron production

3. Which of the following was a common form of covert resistance employed by enslaved people? (A) Direct armed rebellion (B) Openly protesting against slave owners (C) Intentionally slowing down work or damaging equipment (D) Forming political organizations to advocate for abolition

Short Answer Question

1. Briefly explain TWO ways in which enslaved people resisted the institution of slavery. Provide specific examples to support your answer.

Free Response Question

Analyze the ways in which the institution of slavery developed and changed in the British North American colonies from 1619 to 1750. In your response, be sure to address the following:

• The initial labor systems in the colonies and their limitations.
• The factors that led to the shift towards chattel slavery.
• The regional differences in the development of slavery.

Scoring Breakdown for FRQ:

• Thesis (1 point): Presents a clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the prompt.
• Argument Development (2 points): Provides evidence to support the thesis, explaining the initial labor systems and their limitations.
• Analysis (2 points): Analyzes the factors that led to the shift towards chattel slavery, including economic and social factors.
• Contextualization (1 point): Connects the development of slavery to broader historical contexts, such as the Triangular Trade or the growth of plantation economies.
• Synthesis (1 point): Demonstrates an understanding of the regional differences in the development of slavery and connects to another historical period or theme.

Alright, you've got this! Go get that 5! 🚀