Why did so many slave owners use physical punishment?

Question

ashleyisakitty · Answer

Usually to frighten and dominate them so they wouldnt run away.

Also, because they were evil, scary people.

anonymous · Answer

To threaten them so they would do what they are told, and then they know what the consequences will be when the don't follow orders.

wwhitlock · Answer

Like anything else, they used the method they thought worked best. 
Owning slaves is not about being evil or scary. It is a means of production. Slave owners want to get as much work out of slaves as possible.
But all men yearn to be free. That's a problem if you count on slaves as the basis of an economy. So slave owning society counted on dehumanizing the enslaved.

wwhitlock · Answer

Thanks for the medals :)

anonymous · Answer

You're welcome :)