To work the fields, to keep up the homes of the rich plantation owners. Only the wealthy had slaves. Most poor southerners did the work themselves, a few were middle class and had a couple of slaves to help with crops, but not the household.
It wasn't needed at any means. The rich plantations could have afforded to pay blacks or whites to do the crops and the house, but it was much easier on them to own the slaves, which they only had to feed and provide rudimentary housing.
It wasn't needed at any means. The rich plantations could have afforded to pay blacks or whites to do the crops and the house, but it was much easier on them to own the slaves, which they only had to feed and provide rudimentary housing.
