Plantaion religion

Christianity on the plantation between 1820 and 1860 has been coined “Christian guardianship”, and historians have called “paternalism (The American Promise, Roark et all). The majorities of plantation owners were Evangelical and often insisted that keeping slaves was equal to that of caring for children in self-denial that slavery was brutal and exploitative (Roark et all). Religion was taught to the slaves, often by the mistress of the house or trained slaves, to make the slaves more controllable. The majority of slave owners realized the economic value of keeping their slaves healthy and cooperative. Religion was often considered an opiate for the slaves (Gimelli, 1989). In an article written by L. Gimelli and published in the Journal of the Early American Republic, the life of Louisa Cocke as an Evangelical plantation mistress is examined, compared and given as an example of the average plantation mistress. Gimelli’s article, based on Cocke’s diary, gives evidence to the strong Christian faith she carried and her desire to convert the slaves to Christian belief. Gimelli also discusses religious revivals and Protestant ministers that traveled to various cities and plantations to help spread and reinforce Christianity throughout the south. Whether religion was a form of mind control, a tool for rationalizing behavior, social event, or true faith, it was a defining part of the plantation life.