HIS 521 US Social and Cultural History to 1865
William H. Mulligan, Jr. 

Discussion 6 April 2, 1998

1. Eugene Genovese begins Roll, Jordan, Roll with a discussion of paternalism as a factor in American slavery. How does he paternalism in this context and what does he mean when he writes, "Thus, the slaves by accepting a paternalistic ethos and legitimizing class rule, developed their most powerful defense against the dehumanization implicit in slavery." (p. 7) 

2. What differences does Genovese see between farmers, planters, and overseers?

3. In what ways was slavery a "duty" and a "burden" for white southerners?

4. Discuss the role religion played in the lives of slaves.

5. What does Genovese mean by the "myth of the absent family?" How does this effect male and female gender roles among slaves?

6. How does Genovese describe the childhood experiences of slaves?

7. What role did full scale slave revolts and smaller acts of rebellion play in the way whites and blacks saw slavery?

8. The subtitle of Roll, Jordan, Roll is "The World the Slaves Made." In what ways did slaves make their world?

9. What is the overall thesis of Roll, Jordan, Roll and how well do you think Genovese sustains it?