How did slave owners use illiteracy as a tool against enslaved people?

Slave owners used illiteracy as a strategic tool to control and manipulate the enslaved population. By denying enslaved individuals the ability to read and write, slave owners aimed to limit their access to information, which could empower them and facilitate resistance against their situation. This lack of literacy made it challenging for enslaved people to communicate effectively, organize collective actions, or access knowledge of their rights and liberties, thereby reinforcing their dependence on their owners for information and direction. Furthermore, maintaining a state of illiteracy helped to instill a sense of inferiority among enslaved individuals, discouraging them from pursuing autonomy or challenging the established social order. The overarching goal was always to maintain power and prevent any form of rebellion or dissent among the enslaved population.