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A Mysterious Property Kenneth Stampp Analysis

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It was one of the most significant and disputed practice ever to reach the shores of the Western Hemisphere. A dimensional issue that caused much argument and conflict on each of its multiple levels. This was the practice of Slavery. Taking a closer look, there are many different interpretations of what the attitude of American slaves were towards their work experiences. In order to fully answer this question, a closer examination, summary, and comparison will be made of three different historians and their ideas to accurately answer the overarching importance of this question. The first and foremost analysis to be examined under a closer lense is titled “A Troublesome Property” and was written by author Kenneth Stampp. This analysis is …show more content…

The first of these two controversial themes, is what the best method was to manage and keep all of one's slaves under control. In the first summary, Stampp explains that slaves are very troublesome and will do anything to get their freedom; even violent revolt. Stampp reiterates that, “Slaves sought to limit the quantity of their services in many different ways”(263). Based on this information, Stampp would argue that the only way to counter this and keep these slaves under control is to keep them under a strict and watchful eye at all times. In doing so this would limit the amount of ways that slaves could retaliate and take revenge on their masters. The second analysis consists of how extremely meticulous and successful the organization and division of labor among the southern plantations were. The authors Fogel and Engerman also describe slaves possessing, “an extraordinary intensity of labor”(283). In order to successfully keep the plantation running smoothly, Fogel and Engerman would argue that the best way to maintain control of slaves would be to give them management positions. In doing so, slaves would be able to manage themselves and also have opportunities to progress up the chain of command; which would result in them feeling content while letting the owner maintain complete control. The third and final author would likely argue that the best way to maintain control of slaves would be to keep them happy. One successful way to do this would be to let the slaves work in groups. Genovese explains one of the ways to achieve this is to, “organize hoeing in a line, so that everyone works alongside someone else and yet has his own task”(312). If the slaves are happy and content, they are likely to do more

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