The lives of Slaves on Plantations vs. the lives of Slaves in Big Cities
During the mid 18th century African Americans living in the United States were born, raised, and sold as slaves. Many of them were transported from Africa to the Americas through the middle passage. Arriving in the Americas, African Americans were sold as slaves to slave owners during auctions and were sent out to different homes in order to start their new lives. Many slaves were sent out to large rural plantations in the South and many slaves were sent out to more urban areas like the cities of New Orleans and Baltimore. The lives of slaves on plantations differed greatly from the lives of slaves in the cities. Slaves who lived on plantations worked very long and …show more content…

During this one session of whipping, Brown was beaten with five rods at once. No matter what pain or damage the slaves would endure during their beatings, the slave owners would not stop until they got their satisfaction of empowerment and pride. Many slaves would bleed uncontrollably, with open wounds and cuts they were left to take care of themselves. Slaves lived very harsh and tough lives on the plantations. Suffering from a lack of food, shelter, and enduring beatings and deadly diseases, many lives of slaves were lost. Some slaves such as George, who was a slave in Uncle Toms Cabin, held on to the will to survive and hopes to one day be free. “I won't be taken Eliza; I'll die first! I'll be free or I'll die!" (16), George states to his wife showing how passionate he is about his freedom. In contrast slaves living in cities had a much different life style than slaves living on plantations. The lives of slaves in cities were found to be less hectic and stressful and more tranquil and calm. Even though the work load differed greatly from that on a plantation, slaves living in cities still had to endure days full of long and hard labor. Slaves that were auctioned and sent out to live in cities were usually found living in upper class households with their slave owner and his family. Since slaves lived with the family this allowed them to interact with the family members