What was the actual purpose of allowing the slaves six days of celebration between Christmas and New Year's?

A It was a religious holiday.

B To carry off the rebellious spirit of enslaved humanity.

C There was a law that stated slaves were allowed 6 days of vacation each year.

D The slaves and slaveholders enjoyed this time together each year

The correct answer is: B To carry off the rebellious spirit of enslaved humanity.

During thes days, slaves were among their own, the ones who had families at a distance, were generally allowed to spend the whole six days with them. This time, however, was spent in various ways.

The more "serious and hard-working" ones would make corn-brooms, mats, horse-collars, and baskets; soem others would spend the time in hunting opossums, hares, and coons.

But by far the larger part would play ball, wrestle, run, races, dance, and drink whisky.

To provide slaves with 6 days off, was the most effective means in the hands of the slaveholder in keeping down the spirit of insurrection. These holidays serve as conductors, or safety-valves, to carry off the rebellious spirit of enslaved humanity.

There was no a law at that time that protected slaves, nor were slaves and slaveholders friendly enough so as to enjoy the time together. Slaveholders do not give the slaves this time because they would not like to have their work during its continuance, but because they know it would be unsafe to deprive them of it!