How did enslaved people cope with the routine repression and degradation of life on the plantation?

By adopting a different means or ways, such as resisting slavery through everyday activities, while also occasionally plotting large-scale revolts.

They also, create their own religion culture, by blending elements of Christianity and West African traditions with spiritual beliefs

Explanation:

During the 19th century when the enslaved people were working on the agricultural plantations in the Southern US, as either house servants or field hands, they were working in a gruesome conditions, where they were subjected to various forms of repression, brutal punishment and strict racial policing.

However, in order to cope with such situations, the enslaved people, plan large scale revolt, while they passed time by telling folktales and and keeping sense of unity among themselves.

They also created their own unique religious culture, by combining different elements of Christianity and West African traditions with spiritual beliefs, to lift the spirit and champion a define cause.

answer; if congress didn't act on certain requests;

i honestly have no idea