History of the United States I / Unit 12 USH1 1672 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Resistance, Daily
Captions available
The idea
Enslaved people used paternalism to their own advantage, feigning childishness to conceal intelligence, slowing work, and breaking tools by apparent accident.
In practice
Some poisoning their captors, and some reporting planned rebellions to gain preferential treatment.
Where people slip
Read the range. Resistance included accommodation and betrayal as well as revolt, because survival required judgement.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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