Study GuideU.S. History I–Slavery and the South1.Slave Society and CultureLife for enslaved people in the Southvaried depending on the size of the plantation, the workassigned, and the master's attitude.•Household slaves, blacksmiths, carpenters, and driverswere generally better off thanfield hands.•Ultimately, theowner controlled all aspects of a slave’s life, including punishment andprivileges.1.1Labor and Daily Life•Field work:oHarvest: up to 16 hours/dayoWinter: 10+ hours/dayoWorkweek: 6 days, with a half-day on Saturday•Work organization:oGang system:groups of ~25 under a driver and overseeroTask system:assigned specific daily jobs•Discipline:oWhippings, extra work, or reduced food rationsoGood work could earn extra food, visits to other plantations, or small gardensClothing and food:•Men: clothes twice a year, shoes once a year•Women: cloth to make dresses and children’s clothing•Food: cornmeal, salt pork or bacon, molasses; sometimes supplemented with fish, game, orvegetables•Housing: one-or two-room dirt-floored cabins; multiple families often shared one cabin•Health: poor diet, hard labor, and lack of medical care contributed tohigh infant mortality(20%) and shorter life expectancyPreview Mode
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