Slave Owners feared that the slaves would become educated because with education comes freedom. They also feared the resistance of slaves in general.
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Slave rebellions and escape attempts were two things that slave owners feared, as they posed a threat to their control over their slaves and their way of life. They also feared the loss of property if slaves were to successfully escape or rebel.
A slave who is running away is commonly referred to as a fugitive slave.
Slave owners used physical punishment, such as whipping, to instill fear and force obedience among slaves. They also used psychological tactics, such as threats of separation from family members or promises of reward, to control their behavior and compliance.
Slaves were considered property because they were seen as commodities that could be bought, sold, and owned by others. This dehumanizing view allowed slave owners to exploit slaves for labor and economic gain without regard for their humanity or rights. This legal classification reinforced the power dynamics of slavery and justified the oppressive treatment of enslaved individuals.
The first organized slave rebellion in South Carolina occurred in 1739 and is known as the Stono Rebellion. Enslaved Africans seized weapons, killed several plantation owners, and attempted to escape to Spanish Florida where they hoped for freedom. The rebellion was suppressed, with many rebels killed and the others captured and executed.
It imposed fines for hiding runaway slaves.