Since the inception of America, slavery was the center of regional debates among the North and South. The institution of slavery
had a major effect on the African American community, which led to the development of the slave culture. For more than two
hundred years, slavery bound African Americans into the lowest place in society, often not even considered as human beings.
During the slavery era, the African Americans had limited legal rights, which caused them to turn to religion, and the development
of a slave culture in an effort to find security and comfort.
Throughout the early years of slavery, the African servants took on the role of European indentured servants. They were committed
to their employers for a set period of time, and then released into society. However in 1662 slavery took a turn for the worse
when Virginia declared that slavery was a life long bond, as well as a condition that passed through family generations. Many
of the colonies followed the lead of Virginia in implementing harsh codes and laws regarding slaves. In 1696 South Carolina
passed the Act to Govern Negros and Slaves, which outlined severe penalties for a variety of offenses, committed by blacks
and excused any white who caused the death of a slave while carrying out a punishment. The colonial disfranchisement of African
Americans continued even through the American Revolution. The northern states offered freedom for slaves who fought in the
Revolution, and as a result thousands of slaves joined the service. Slavery began to lose its foothold in the north, with
every northern state authorizing gradual emancipation by the 19th century (Sambol). The lack of legal rights was exemplified
in the Dred Scott case of 1857. His owner brought him to Illinois for an extended stay in the free state. As a result, Scott
sued for his freedom, however the United States Supreme Court did not agree. The court ruled that slaves were not citizens,
and therefore were not guaranteed the rights under the Constitution (Dred Scott). Throughout the development of slavery, the
African American race was consistently downgraded by the legal system. In the colonial era, the rights of slaves began to
be infringed upon, with specific slave codes enacted in various colonies. Through the progression of slavery and into the
outbreak of the Civil War, the legal status of African Americans was non existent. The Dred Scott decision proved that legal
rights for slaves did not exist. Scott was a slave, and therefore did not even maintain the right to sue. Clearly the legal
status of African Americans during slavery was gravely infringed by the white majority of society.
As the horrors of slavery intensified, many slaves turned to religion as a form of comfort. The original form of Christianity
in slave life was dictated by the slave owners. Masters used religion as a form of social control. Masters maintained that
if their slaves disobeyed, then they would essentially be disobeying God, and therefore jeopardizing their eternal salvation.
Preaching of salvation for unbridled obedience kept order within the slave communities. Slaves feared eternal damnation, and
consequently were more likely to follow the direction of their earthly masters as an avenue to heaven (Goodwin). Over time
however the basic truths of Christianity gave slaves an escape from the daily miseries of slavery, and as a result slaves
developed their own form of Christianity. The reliance on a higher power gave hope to a degraded society. Quite ironically
many slave owners endorsed the adoption of Christianity by their slaves. Slave owners felt that if slaves adopted Christianity,
they would be more docile, and as a result less prone to escape for freedom. Slaves also turned to biblical principals to
enhance their need of liberation. Within the slave quarters religious services were held which gave them positive experiences.
In the face of adversity, the enslaved African Americans were able to find hope, and a sense of inner freedom. As the slaves
came together in a unified fashion to worship their God, it defined the slave culture. The rhythmic preaching, which was accompanied
by inspiring gospel hymns brought the slave community together in unity through the formation of their own Christianity (Vlach).
The institution of Christianity in slave life was a first impressed on African Americans by their masters. The development
of slave culture refined Christianity to meet the needs of the oppressed slaves. As a uniform body, slaves worshiped and preached
within their slave quarters in an attempt to find salvation and inspiration in the midst of the grueling southern society.
Slave culture in America was grounded in the hopes of Christianity, which gave African Americans optimism in a horrible situation.
The principles of religion allowed slaves to press forward and dream of liberation.
Slave Family
The oppressions of slavery led to the endorsement of religion and the development of a slave culture in America. Slave traditions
and culture played a vital role in the survival of African Americans during harsh conditions. Slaves usually reverted back
to traditional African customs for ceremonies such as funerals or weddings. Enslaved families were usually large, with the
mother producing about 9 children on average. The large families in the slave communities were an integral piece of the slave
culture. African Americans had extended family ties, which led to a stronger social network. The strong social network that
bound African Americans together was overtly important for support reasons. The slaves were able to stand together in the
realm of hatred and persevere. It was much harder to break the spirit of a close knit clan, than it was to degrade slaves
individually. The large families contributed to the strength of the African American culture. Although the slave networks
were large, owners were able to dictate much of slave life. Many plantations were kept to fewer than twenty slaves because
the owners were terrified of a slave rebellion. Many families were destroyed because of slavery, however the African Americans
stuck together to break the chains of chattel slavery (Houston University). The oppressive evils of slavery led African Americans
to develop a strong social network with each other, as well as a distinguished culture. As many slaves maintained the traditional
African practices, they also assimilated American values into their society. The mix of American religion and traditional
African culture was the foundation for the slave culture. African Americans relied on the slave culture to keep their spirits
elevated. Without the distinguished slave culture, slaves would have had much more difficulty standing together as one to
defeat the horrible institution of slavery in America.
The horrific chains of bondage that incarcerated the African American race prior to the Civil War nearly broke the spirits
of the enslaved individuals. African Americans had no legal rights, and were repeatedly defeated in throughout the legal system.
As a result of the disfranchisement of the African American race, the slaves turned to religion, which was at first forced
by the owners, however the slaves eventually accepted the Christian principles as an avenue to escape the harsh reality of
slavery. Due to the unforgiving reality the African Americans faced, they were forced to develop a unique slave culture that
provided refugee in the wake of a legal system that denied their humanity.
Works Cited
"Dred Scott, plaintiff in error, v. John F. A. Sandford." Dred Scott, Plaintiff in Error, v. John F. A. Sandford.
06 Jan. 2009. 17 May 2009.
Goodwin, Ron. “Using God as a Mechanism in Social Control.” Antebellum Slavery and Religion. Jan.
2009. 19 May 2009 <http://us-civil-war.suite101.com/article.cfm/antebellum_slavery_and_religion>.
Sambol-Tosco, Kimberly. “Legal Rights and Government.” Slavery and the Making of America. 2004. PBS.
17 May 2009 <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/experience/legal/history.html>.
“Slave Culture.” Digital History. May 2009. Houston University. 17 May 2009 <http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=77>.
Vlach, John. “Slave Religion.” Cultural Landscape of Plantations. George Washington University. 18
May 2009 <http://www.gwu.edu/~folklife/bighouse/panel22.html>.
