To what extent were Hammonds's slaves able to resist the oppression of slavery? Was the plantation an all powerful institution that made slaves helpless and passive, or did slaves have opportunities to exercise power?
When James Henry Hammond's marriage placed this plantation in his possession he had 147 slaves he had to control. He made a "system of roguery" to dominate his slaves. He discouraged slave society and their culture and created a system to destroy the base of black harmony. He physically and psychologically overpowered and controlled these slaves. Hammond's slaves didn't have much choice but to accept the fact that they were slaves and do what they were told. The rules were very harsh and they were left with no other choice than to follow their master's rules.
Hammond wanted control over their religious behavior and work patterns. Because the slaves were not used to this cruel strictness they would challenge his need for perfection. When slaves wanted to have......
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Approximate Pages: 3 (260 words per double-spaced page) |