An 18th Century Plantation Society
An 18th century Plantation Society
What is a Plantation Society?
The plantation society was one which was highly stratified socially and economically. This meant that based on one’s race they were being seen differently on the plantation. That is, the whites were the superiors and the blacks were the inferiors
Monoculture: One Crop Economy
Dependence was centered on a mono crop.
Meaning that life on the plantation was centered around the cultivation of sugar cane.
Social Structure (stratification) of a Plantation Economy
Class and Status
White Class: divided by ECONOMICS and OCCUPATION i.e. number of slaves
Made up of 2 groups: the wealthy whites (Grands Blancs: Governors, Plantocracy, Attorneys etc.) the poorer whites (Petits Blancs: Teachers, book keepers, doctors)
Free Persons of Colour
i.e. Mulattoes > Free Blacks
Worked in trades and services, as well as military
Found mostly in urban areas, many were women Divided by complexion and shades of colour
Enslaved Blacks
Divided based on occupation.
i.e. Skilled & Domestic > Field Slaves
Division of roles on a Sugar Plantation
The Whites: The Planter
At the top of the plantation social hierarchy was a white planter or owner:
Master of the plantation
Lived in luxury in the Great House with his family made all major decisions that gave direction to the plantation system. decided on the type of slave organization, the size of the slave labour force and the purchasing and selling of slaves.
The Overseer
The second in rank on the plantation . He was usually recruited from families of the planter.
Managed the estate and made decisions about crops, sugar manufacture and labour on the plantations Ensured a smooth, efficient and productive operation of the plantation
Clerks and bookkeepers
These were usually poorer whites. There were also stock room clerks and slave supervisors in this group.
The Blacks: House or Domestic slaves
Performed roles related to domestic housework.
What is a Plantation Society?
The plantation society was one which was highly stratified socially and economically. This meant that based on one’s race they were being seen differently on the plantation. That is, the whites were the superiors and the blacks were the inferiors
Monoculture: One Crop Economy
Dependence was centered on a mono crop.
Meaning that life on the plantation was centered around the cultivation of sugar cane.
Social Structure (stratification) of a Plantation Economy
Class and Status
White Class: divided by ECONOMICS and OCCUPATION i.e. number of slaves
Made up of 2 groups: the wealthy whites (Grands Blancs: Governors, Plantocracy, Attorneys etc.) the poorer whites (Petits Blancs: Teachers, book keepers, doctors)
Free Persons of Colour
i.e. Mulattoes > Free Blacks
Worked in trades and services, as well as military
Found mostly in urban areas, many were women Divided by complexion and shades of colour
Enslaved Blacks
Divided based on occupation.
i.e. Skilled & Domestic > Field Slaves
Division of roles on a Sugar Plantation
The Whites: The Planter
At the top of the plantation social hierarchy was a white planter or owner:
Master of the plantation
Lived in luxury in the Great House with his family made all major decisions that gave direction to the plantation system. decided on the type of slave organization, the size of the slave labour force and the purchasing and selling of slaves.
The Overseer
The second in rank on the plantation . He was usually recruited from families of the planter.
Managed the estate and made decisions about crops, sugar manufacture and labour on the plantations Ensured a smooth, efficient and productive operation of the plantation
Clerks and bookkeepers
These were usually poorer whites. There were also stock room clerks and slave supervisors in this group.
The Blacks: House or Domestic slaves
Performed roles related to domestic housework.