Slavery and Virginia LO 4

http://www.robertkennedyhistoryteacher.com/ III. Discuss the plantation system and the development of "white identity". Also discuss how imperialism and capitalism created the need for the economic and moral acceptance of slavery A. The ease of acquiring land, the availability of cheap labor, and the success of staple crops like tobacco (in Virginia or Maryland) and rice (in the Carolinas and Georgia) were responsible for the establishment of the plantation system. B. Privileged by law and carefully selected--one almost says bred-through intermarriage, private or English educated, and practically trained, these Virginians created a life-style called the plantation system that was based on their aristocratic order. C. Slavery did not become a characteristic feature of Virginia society until nearly the end of the century. It became so then for several reasons: 1. catastrophic fall in the price of tobacco ruined the small farmers, permitting profits only to men who had the capital to purchase cheap and self-propagating labor (slaves) 2. Because of a shortage of indentured servants which started in the 1660's 3. the Royal African Company (1672) 4. "Cultural nationalism" D. White Identity Economic Necessity to support the plantation system Cultural Nationalism increase number of Africans the development of democracy class conflict (Bacon's Rebellion) Abolitionism Slave Revolts B. Moral Justifications English Cultural Nationalism deemed Africans as "foreign" African culture was non western Dramatic increase of population of Africans in the Americas Emergence of Racism (race consciousness) C. White Identity Economic Necessity to support the plantation system Cultural Nationalism increase number of Africans the development of democracy class conflict (Bacon's Rebellion) Abolitionism Slave Revolts