History of South America

How were house slaves treated?

House slaves were typically treated better than field slaves, as they worked inside the master's house and were seen as more personal property. They were given better food, clothing, and shelter, and were often allowed to interact with the master's family. However, they were still slaves, and were subject to the same punishments as field slaves if they disobeyed their master.

Here are some specific examples of how house slaves were treated:

* They were given better food and clothing. House slaves were often given leftover food from the master's table, while field slaves were given a basic diet of cornmeal, beans, and meat scraps. House slaves were also given better clothing, including shoes and hats, while field slaves were often forced to work barefoot and in rags.

* They were given better shelter. House slaves slept in the attic or basement of the master's house, while field slaves lived in small, crowded cabins. House slaves were also allowed to have fires in their rooms, while field slaves were often forced to sleep in the cold.

* They were allowed to interact with the master's family. House slaves often interacted with the master's children, and were sometimes even treated as part of the family. However, they were still considered inferior, and were not allowed to sit at the table with the master or his family.

* They were subject to the same punishments as field slaves. If a house slave disobeyed their master, they could be punished in the same way as a field slave. This could include being whipped, beaten, or even killed.

Overall, house slaves were treated better than field slaves, but they were still slaves and were subject to the same abuses.