Slavery - Pre-Civil War

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The terrible tactics that slave owners used like whippings, rapes, and executions became something that was common in a slave’s life. The punishments that were provided usually were caused by disobedience and acts of showing resistant for example trying to escape the plantations, but what enforced the psychological mind set of dominance were the fact that most slaves were abused in front of other slaves in order to “reveal the dominance and power a master or overseer had over the slave. Slavery affected American slaves in various ways that caused psychological and physical pain such as forced migration, condemned separation, weakening of the mind, and severe abuse” Elkins, S.

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According to Solomon Northup, “during the migration from Washington D.C to New Orleans, I had at times serious thoughts of suicide so great was my anguish. If I could have got a rope I should have hanged myself at bayou beouf ”. This quote clearly shows the psychological effects caused by physical pain. Solomon Northup’s pain and fatigue has led to thoughts of suicide due to the migration from Washington D.C To New Orleans. During this trip, he was “chained by his neck, hands, and feet, While chained to another slave, Solomon had a duty to care for the slave he was attached to”. For example, if the attached slave died or passed out along the journey, Solomon would have to carry the weight of that very same slave until they reached their destination. The psychological effect that this specific type of torture has on an American slave is mind control or reinforcement. The chain is an example of control over the slaves, and the migration how the slave masters wanted to keep the body of a slave strong and sturdy, and the mind weak as possible.

It is clear to understand that a lot of factors were involved in the creation of the Civil War in America and the treatment of slaves in the south only intensified the imminent war that followed. It is important to understand that slavery could also be seen as one of the causes for the South’s defeat to the North as a lack of innovation due to the focus of slavery in the south made them very vulnerable to loss and the lack of overseas intervention due to the south’s support of slaves only added to the many woes it faced during the civil war.

Bibliography

Levine, L.W. Black Culture and Black Consciousness

Northup, S. Twelve Years a Slave (Autobiography & Documentary)

Elkins, S Slavery

Blassingame, J.W. The Slave Community

Rawick, G.P. From Sundown to Sunup