How the Barbados Slave Code impacted the Americas

Throughout the British colonies in North America, slavery actually evolved in practice before it was codified into law. In 1661, the Barbados Slave Code was passed, and as a result became the first officially codified slave code in the British North American colonies. The law was passed to provide a legal base for slavery in the Caribbean island of Barbados.

Though the codes were meant to benefit both sides, the only benefit the slaves got from the code was one set of clothing per year, which consisted of a coarse material to be used as clothing. However, the law does not set any standards for slaves’ diet, housing, or working conditions.

On the other hand, slave owners were given the authority to treat their slaves like chattels, which means the slave were to be treated like common farm animals. Slaves were also denied basic rights guaranteed under English common law, such as the right to life. Slave owners now had the authority to do as they please with their slaves, be it whipping, beating, maiming, mutilating, raping, or even killing. Basically, the Barbados Slave Code allowed salve owners to control the slaves by any means they felt necessary without repercussion.

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