The gang system is a system of division of labor within slavery on a plantation. It is the more brutal of two main types of labor systems. The other form, known as the task system, was less harsh and allowed the slaves more self-governance than did the gang system. The gang system was also much more efficient because it allowed continuous work at the same pace throughout the day, never letting up or slowing down. There were three gangs. The first gang(or "great gang") was given the hardest work, for the fittest slaves. The second gang was for less able slaves(teenagers, or old people, or the unwell slaves) and this gang was given easier work. The third gang was given the easiest work.
Famous quotes containing the words gang and/or system:
“The best laid schemes o’ mice and men Gang aft agley;
An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain, For promis’d joy!”
—Robert Burns (1759–1796)
“How natural that the errors of the ancient should be handed down and, mixing with the principles and system which Christ taught, give to us an adulterated Christianity.”
—Olympia Brown (1835–1900)