Teacher's Guide for FOOTSTEPS Slavery at Mount Vernon

• To analyze George Washington's changing attitude toward slavery
• To learn about the lives of the African-American slaves who made up the workforce at Mount Vernon
• To analyze the development of the institution of slavery in the United States
• To analyze the concept of 18^th-century wealth and property and how this concept may have influenced the institution of slavery
• To analyze and understand how archaeology is used to interpret history

1. In Washington's time, land and property were the leading indicators of wealth and social standing. The American colonies filled two roles for England. They were a source of raw materials for British manufacturers and a market for finished goods. Planters and farmers throughout the colonies kept thousands of acres under cultivation to produce the materials needed in England.
   • Consider how George Washington's family acquired the original land at Mount Vernon. Why did John Washington and Nicholas Spencer have to "seat and plant" to keep this land?
   • George Washington has often been described by historians as being "cash poor." Find an example in your reading demonstrating that Washington's wealth was often tied up in his land holdings.
   • Chattel slavery was practiced at Mount Vernon, as well as other farms in Virginia. Describe the legal and social restrictions placed on slaves under this system. Why did this system of slavery develop in America in the 18^th century?
   • Write a letter to the Royal Governor of Virginia describing your plans to "seat and plant" land that has been granted to you. Outline what crops you intend to plant, improvements you will make on the property, and the labor force you will use. Include a map showing property boundaries, fields, and structures that house your family and workforce, as well as any outbuildings where work on the plantation will take place.
   • You are a colonial planter. You have decided to create an inventory, or list, of all your property. What would you include on the list?
2. Surveying was George Washington's first job. Due to the large amount of land deeded to planters by land grants, or purchased in the colonies, surveying was an essential profession.
   • Discuss the skills and knowledge Washington gained from this experience. How did this skill benefit him as he expanded and developed Mount Vernon?
3. George Washington was accustomed to the institution of slavery. As a young man, he bought and sold slaves. However, as he grew older, his attitudes toward slavery gradually changed.
   • Why do you think Washington's attitudes toward slavery changed? Name two factors you believe influenced his perception of slavery.
   • In 1799, George Washington made a list of his slaveholdings. Why did he complete a census of the slaves at Mount Vernon? What information can we learn from this document?
   • What can you learn regarding the personal lives of slaves by reading this census?
   • George Washington freed his slaves in his 1799 will. Why might some of the slaves have had mixed emotions regarding emancipation? Write a newspaper account of the emancipation of the Mount Vernon slaves. Include an "interview" with both a slave belonging to George Washington and a dower slave.
4. By 1799, 316 African American slaves lived and worked at Mount Vernon. Their jobs could be divided into three categories: domestic, skilled, and unskilled field workers. Of the 316 slaves, 42% were either too young or too old to work.
   • Create a chart with three columns. In the first column list jobs that a domestic worker would do; in the second column list the jobs of skilled laborers; and in the third column list the jobs of unskilled field workers. Which jobs do you think were most sought after, skilled or unskilled? List the advantages and disadvantages of both.
   • Slaves at Mount Vernon often used the little leisure time they had to sell things to make extra money. What items do you think they sold? What did they do with the extra income? Sometimes George Washington allowed slaves to attend fairs, races, or other special events. Why would it be in his best interest to allow such leisure time?
   • Between the ages of 10 to 14, slave children were referred to as "working girls and boys." What were some of their duties? Discuss why they were made to do such work. Children also had chores to do for their parents. What responsibilities did they have? What games and activities did children play at Mount Vernon when they were not working for their parents or George Washington?
   • Read about the personal lives of slaves at Mount Vernon. Write a first person account from the view of one of the following people:
     
     Sambo Anderson
     Oney Judge
     Hercules
     Father Jack
     Billy Lee
     Caroline
     
     Finish your paper with a modern view of their struggles and accomplishments. Would this person serve as a role model for you and your classmates? Why?
5. Although historical documents tell us a great deal about life in the past, they also reflect the view and opinion of the person who wrote them. Most slaves were not able to read or write, so there is little primary documentation that tells us their views and feelings. Today, many historic sites use archaeology as a way to learn more about the past through excavating the actual objects people used in their daily lives
   • Review the article on archaeology at Mount Vernon. What kind of information did archaeology reveal that was surprising? Do you think archaeology or primary documents give a more realistic understanding of slavery at Mount Vernon? Why?
   • Make a list of five different types of artifacts that were excavated in the House for Families excavation. Next, create an "exhibit label" describing an artifact you have chosen and what information it reveals about the daily lives of slaves at Mount Vernon.
   • Make a list of 10 things found in your classroom or home. What might archaeologists tell about your class or family from these findings?
6. Visitors to Mount Vernon today learn a great deal about George Washington and life on his 18^th century estate, Mount Vernon. Five years ago, Mount Vernon began a special tour to teach people about the lives of slaves who lived and worked on the estate. Mount Vernon also has one of only two monuments to slaves in the United States today.

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Updated: 11/21/09 05:25 pm
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