Gang system facts for kids

The gang system was a very harsh way of organizing forced labor on plantations, especially for enslaved people. It was one of two main types of work systems used during slavery. The other system, called the task system, was less strict and gave enslaved people a bit more control over their daily work. The gang system, however, forced people to work continuously at the same speed all day long.

What Was the Gang System?

The gang system was a method where enslaved workers were divided into groups, or "gangs," to perform specific tasks on a plantation. These gangs worked together under constant supervision. This system was designed to make sure work never stopped and that everyone worked at the same fast pace.

How Did the Gang System Work?

Under the gang system, workers were usually split into different groups based on their strength and ability. Each group was given specific jobs to do. This helped plantation owners get the most work out of the enslaved people.

Different Work Groups

There were usually three main gangs:

• The first gang, sometimes called the "great gang," was made up of the strongest workers. They were given the hardest and most demanding jobs.
• The second gang included workers who were not as strong, such as teenagers, older people, or those who were sick. They were given lighter work that was still important.
• The third gang was usually made up of children. They were given the easiest tasks, often helping the other gangs.

An Example: Planting Cotton

On some plantations, like the McDuffie plantation, planting cotton showed how these groups worked.

• The first group, made up of the best workers, would go ahead and dig small holes. These holes were about 18 to 25 cm (7 to 10 in) apart.
• The second group would then follow, dropping cotton seeds into each of these holes.
• Finally, the third group, often children, would cover the holes with dirt. This way, all the work was done in a continuous flow.

Where Was the Gang System Used?

The gang system became common in the United States during the 1800s, especially in the years before the American Civil War (around 1820-1865). It was mostly used on plantations that grew cotton in the Deep South, which is a region in the southern part of the U.S. It was also used for growing tobacco and sugar. However, not all plantations used this system. For example, rice plantations in places like Carolina often used the task system instead.

Life Under the Gang System

Life under the gang system was very difficult for enslaved people. They were forced to work from sunrise until sunset, with only short breaks for meals like lunch and dinner. An overseer, who was a person hired to watch over and direct the enslaved workers, would supervise them constantly. This was very different from the task system, where a worker could stop once they finished their assigned daily task.

See also

• Task system