The blues and slavery

1. The blues and slavery Amy 8Y2

2. What do the blues have to do with slavery? • Originally, slave owners tried to ban music by their workforce. They did however discover that music helped slaves to work better and so music was encouraged. • Slaves that were musicians were treated well and sometimes were bought for their musicianship rather than their work rate and strength.

3. What made life horrible for the slaves? • They were squashed together on the ship and they had shackles on their hands and feet and they had to stand and sit in their own faeces so it was disgusting and appalling. • If they refused to eat they would get punished (Whipped or beaten) They had to eat so they could stay alive and be sold. When they arrived at the place they were going to be sold at they would be rubbed with oil to make them look clean and well.

4. Facts about the blues and slavery • The slaves expressed their feelings in songs • The slaves were deprived of any privileges • The 12 bar blues are the 12 bars of music that can be fit with the blues music. They can also be improvised • Their own African heritage was stripped from them, or it withered away on its own. Slavery was a nightmare come true. Yet the slaves played and sang music which later influenced music all over the world • From the music of slaves came jazz and blues. Through the fields you could hear singing but the slave owners didn't see much harm in it so they let them continue. After the work day was over, slaves would get together and sing

5. What would happen in the Slave Trade? • The slaves would be taken from their lands and traded for profitable goods like tobacco, money and valuable things. They would mainly work in silent, in the plantation houses. Most slaves were taken to South America. Some slaves were payed a very small wage but within time they could buy their freedom, although not many slaves did as they weren't payed much. Disobedient slaves were beaten and whipped when they didn’t follow orders and rules.