British Slave Laws

Question 1

British Slave Laws

Answer 1

Slaves in the british colonies unlike those in the spanish and even french colonies where they were seen as an inferior kind of subject were a ‘special’ kind of property.

they were bought and sold as merchandise and became their owner’s private property that could be sold for debts, morgated and disposed of. therefore no provison was made for their manumission.

Question 2

PROVSIONS OF THE BRIT SLAVE LAWS with RESPECT TO MANUMISSION- made it very difficult to gain

Answer 2

1. those who helped runaway slaves were penalised
2. tax on manumission
3. could only buy freedom with owner’s consent

Question 3

PROVSIONS OF BRIT SLAVE LAWS with RESPECT TO SLAVES’ RIGHTS

Answer 3

1. food provided - provision land
2. old and disabled not to be abandoned
3. clothing and shelter provided
4. the willful killing and mutilation of slaves were forbidden

Question 4

differences between SPAN and BRIT slave laws

Answer 4

1. the spanish crown drew it up and the slave masters drew it up
2. slaves were seen as people under spanish law whereas in brit law they were seen as property
3. the slaves had to convert to RC under span law however under BRIT law they had no concern for the souls of slaves
4. in span colonies they were allowed to amrry and families weren’t separated in brit colonies they did not care
5. in seiete partidas able to by freedom in installments, under brit slave law they discouraged manumission even placed a tax to buy freedom
6. could provide evidence in court as to why they want their freedom in siete partidas however in brit slave law not able to provide evidence in court
7. the spanish had more laws to prevent masters from brutally beating slaves mindlessly whereas under brit law severe punsihment for striking slaves, running away and simply WANDERING
8. in span officials were appointed to make sure laws were obeyed whereas in brit no supervsion/protection for slaves

Question 5

reasons for differences between SPAN and BRIT slave laws

Answer 5

1. spanish laws were not framed to deal with WI situation but were incorporated into laws of spanish colonies
2. slavery in spanish colonies were less servere
3. slaves in span were seen as people whereas in brit property
4. less fear and repression as whites outnumbered or were equal to slaves in span colonies
5. as the brit slave laws were made by white slave planters in each colonies, the basis of the slave laws was fear. differing from the spanish colonies the whites in the british colonies were outnumbered by the slaves and therefore fear and subsequently the harshness of the slave laws increased.

Question 6

similarties between SPAN and BRIT slave laws

Answer 6

1. penalties for slaves
2. rights of owners were emphasized
3. the FEW beneficent clauses each had
4. believed in the legality of slavery
5. used the slave laws to oppress, instill fear and thereby control the slaves

REASONS
believed slavery was needed to provide for the social and economic needs of the colonies and also progression of the mother country