As we have discussed in class, plantation owners viewed slaves as property, something to be "worn out, not improved." Yet slave owners provided food, clothing, housing and medical care for their slaves. Why do you think they would provide all these things? How did providing basic needs allow masters to control the slaves? What does it mean when the plantation owners say slaves should "not be improved?"
The slaveholders provided a lot things for their slaves because they wanted to keep the health of their slaves and control slaves. The slaveholders provided basic needs for slaves and made slaves feel totally dependent on their masters. Slaveholders treated their slaves like growing-up children. The words the plantation owners said means that the slaves should be controlled by being dependent on their masters and not educated but used as a labor force.
ReplyDeleteThe slaveowners did this so that it would seem better to stay at the plantation with food and clothing housing and medical when you need it. And to run away and have provided everything for yourself and the chase. If found out you were a runaway slave. So the slaveowners did this so most of the slaves would not runaway and just dealt with the hard labor. So they can have food housing medical and clothing for working hard everyday.
ReplyDeleteThe slave owners did this because if the slave had housing, food, water, and clothes, there is a smaller chance that the slave would run away. And if I were the slave with all of those needs I probably wouldn't have run, because if I were to run away I would have nothing.
ReplyDeleteThe slaves owners provided slaves with the basic needs because if slaves had shelter, and food provided for them by their master, it would make them feel like they wouldn't be able to survive without them. If that is how slaves felt, they would be discouraged to run away, because if they did, they wouldn't have the food, or shelter that their masters provided them. Because of the color of their skin, if they did escape, they wouldn't be able to get a job either, so they were better off staying on the plantation.
ReplyDeleteSlave owners provided these things for the slaves because without these supplies, they wouldn't be able to survive. Without these things, slaves wouldn't last long working at all, lose energy and die. These supplies the slave owners provided defiantly controlled the slaves. The supplies controlled the slaves because if the slaves decided to run away, they would have no food, shelter, clothing, etc. The slaves rely on their masters to provide for them and a slave would be pretty daring to run away from their masters. Without their masters they are doomed! When the plantation owners say slaves should "not be improved", it means that what the masters are giving their slaves is enough for them. The slaves only need the things they absoultely NEED to survive, thats it. Clothing, food, shelter and medicine was all they needed according to the masters.
ReplyDelete~Sonia
The master provided these things becuase when they were sick they were wortless to them. They would not make money if they were dead! When the slaves got the minimum quantity of the food they have barely any energy still. So it was hard for them run away becuase the owner had energy and strength. This quote means that if the slaves went to school and became just as smart as them their would be no more slaves nut when secretly the slaves were just as smart as the masters.
ReplyDeleteI think plantation owners provided slaves with medical care, food, clothing and housing because they NEEDED the slaves. If the slaves were sick or starving had lack of sleep and didnt have clothes to the point were they could freeze to death, they wouldnt have been any use to the plantation owners. The slaves wouldnt have been able to have done their job as well as they could of if they lacked basic necessities. Also, by providing the slaves with basic needs it gave the slaves dream of running away to freedom less of a chance. The slaves wouldnt be able to get food, medical care, housing, or clothes without their masters. If they ran away to freedom they would have none of their basic needs. When the plantation owners said they should not be improved they mean't that slaves should be kept not in the know, they should have as little to no education and they should stay oblivious to what was beyond the masters plantation.
ReplyDeleteI think the plantation onwers provied the basics becasue they needed the slaves to be healthy so they can work. Providing this gives the slave owners contoll over the slave because they cant leave because then they wouldn't have a place to stay clothes and food. The slave owners meant that slaves should just be slaves and shouldnt have an education and just should work as a slave.
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