When they tried to run away, slave owners had them chased by dogs. When and if they returned alive they were whipped, hit with paddles or body parts were cut off and that was considered the death penalty. The only way for slaves to avoid severe punishment was for them to do what they were told to do, when they were told to do it. Whipping was mainly used to control the slave’s behaviors. The number of lashes that a slave received depended on the seriousness if the offense. Other punishments included being shackled, being in various contraptions, being chained to the ground, being hung and being forced to walk a treadmill. Plantation owners often made the other slaves watch the punishment to prevent them from slacking at work or trying to run
When they tried to run away, slave owners had them chased by dogs. When and if they returned alive they were whipped, hit with paddles or body parts were cut off and that was considered the death penalty. The only way for slaves to avoid severe punishment was for them to do what they were told to do, when they were told to do it. Whipping was mainly used to control the slave’s behaviors. The number of lashes that a slave received depended on the seriousness if the offense. Other punishments included being shackled, being in various contraptions, being chained to the ground, being hung and being forced to walk a treadmill. Plantation owners often made the other slaves watch the punishment to prevent them from slacking at work or trying to run