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SLAVERY
Colonial Williamsbur
9/1/2003
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Enslaving Virginia
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1440
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Slave Trade Begins
The Portuguese slave trade begins in West Africa. Enslaved Africans fill the need for labor in the New World
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1526
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First Recorded Slave Rebellion
The first recorded slave rebellion takes place in North America, (as recorded by Spanish slavers) along the South Carolina coast
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1575
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Sugar Plantations Established
The first New World sugar plantations manned by enslaved Africans are established in the Portuguese colony of Brazil.
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1619
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Arrival at Jamestown
According to Governor John Smith, "Twenty and some odd Negroes" arrive at Jamestown, Virginia (the first permanent English settlement established in 1607) on board a Dutch ship.
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1638
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Negro Slavery Begins
First instance of Negro slavery in British North America occurs in New England and was recorded by Governor John Winthrop
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1640
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West Indies Plantations
Sugar Plantations and large-scale slave labor system established in English West Indies.
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1651
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1
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Land Ownership
Anthony Johnson, a free black, is granted 250 acres on Maryland's Eastern Shore
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1660
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Navigation Acts
British Parliament passes the Navigation Acts outlawing the Dutch slave trade to the colonies. Henceforth, slaves can only be imported to English colonies on English ships and the transatlantic slave trade becomes a profitable enterprise for British merchants
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1661
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Slave Codes
The Barbados colonial legislature passes the first "slave code" in a British colony. The code strips slaves of all rights and exempts masters from punishment for the mistreatment of slaves. This code sets the precedent for the rest of British America
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1662
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Recognition of Slavery
The Virginia legislature legally recognizes slavery by establishing the status of the child as free or enslaved according to the status of the mother._enter__enter_
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1667
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1
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Slave Baptism
The Virginia legislature enacts a law stating that the baptism of a slave does not change their status as a slave.
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1671
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Virginia's Population
Governor Berkeley estimates Virginia's population is 48,000, of which 2,000 are Negro slaves and 6,000 are indentured servants.
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1680
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Labor in Virginia
1680-1710_enter_The colony of Virginia shifts its main source of labor from principally indentured servants to African slaves.
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1700
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Virginia Population
1700-1749_enter_Approximately 35,600 slaves are imported to Virginia. The estimated population of British North America in 1700 is 223,000 whites and 28,000 blacks. In Virginia, population estimates indicate 42,000 whites and 16,400 blacks. By 1750 the estimated population of British America is 1,934,000 whites, 236,000 blacks. The estimated population of Virginia that same year is 130,000 whites and 101,000 blacks. During the decade of the 1750s, Creole blacks begin to outnumber African-born blacks in Virginia.
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1705
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"An Act Concerning Servants and Slaves"
The Virginia General Assembly finds it necessary to pass enact a slave code for the colony titled "An Act Concerning Servants and Slaves."
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1709
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1
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Slave Uprising
A slave uprising is uncovered in Surry County, Virginia
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1712
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1
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Slave Rebellion
Two-dozen slaves rebel in New York
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AD
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1720
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1
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Population Increase
The African population in Virginia begins to increase naturally.
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AD
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1723
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1
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Slave Insurrection Law
In response to a series of slave conspiracies, the Virginia legislature enacts more stringent punishments for slaves found guilty of planning insurrection
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1739
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1
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Stono Rebellion
During the South Carolina Stono Rebellion, twenty-five to thirty whites are slain. Thirty blacks are executed for their participation in the rebellion
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1743
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1
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Virginia Population, 1743
Governor Gooch estimates the population of Virginia to be 42,000 blacks and 88,000 whites
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1744
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Non-Importation Act
The Virginia House of Burgesses protests the slave trade with a Non-Importation Act banning the introduction of "outlandish" Negroes to the colony. This is not a result of abolitionist ideals, rather, an attempt to protect the colony from slaves who might foment rebellion. The Virginia law is disallowed by the King and never goes into effect.
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1748
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1
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Slaves Taught to Read
Samuel Davies, a New Light Presbyterian minister, arrives in Hanover, Virginia. He teaches slaves to read the Bible and orders books for them
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1750
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1
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Slave Importation
1750-1775_enter_Approximately 11,700 slaves are imported to Virginia. _enter__enter_
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1760
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Bray School Established
The Bray School for black children is established in Williamsburg, Virginia. Ann Wager becomes its only teacher. The school continues to operate until Wager's death in 1774.
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1761
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1
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Harmon Publishes Poetry
Jupiter Harmon, born a slave in 1720, publishes Salvation of Christ with Penitential Cries, the first known poetical work by an American Negro.
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1767
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1
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Wheatley Publishes Poetry
Phyllis Wheatley becomes one of the first African-Americans and the third woman to publish a book of poetry.
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1772
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1
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Brtish Court Rules on Slavery
James Somerset, a slave taken to England by his master, sues for his freedom in the British court system and wins. Word of the case encourages a number of slaves in British North America to run away in attempts to reach Great Britain.
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1773
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Slave Petitions
1773-1776_enter_Blacks in Boston, Massachusetts write several petitions to the Governor in hopes of attaining their freedom.
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1774
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1
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Ban on Importation of Slaves
The first Continental Congress adopts a ban on the importation of slaves to the American colonies
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AD
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1775
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1
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Abolitionist Society Established
The first abolitionist society in the United States is established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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AD
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1775
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1
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Paine Published "African Slavery in America"
Thomas Paine's article entitled, "African Slavery in America," denounces slavery and demands that Negroes be given land.
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1775
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Event Name
November to December 1775_enter_In November, Virginia's last Royal Governor, Lord Dunmore issues a proclamation declaring the colony in rebellion. He offers freedom to the slaves and indentured servants of rebel masters who will fight for the King. As a result, 800_block_1,000 blacks run away to the British. On December 9th, Dunmore is defeated at the Battle of Great Bridge, Virginia. On December 13th, hoping to entice runaway slaves away from Dunmore's control, the Virginia Convention promises to pardon all slaves who return to their masters within ten days. Few accept the pardon. Many of the loyalist slaves evacuate with Dunmore when he retreats from Virginia
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1776
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Ban on Slave Importation
As a war measure, the Second Continental Congress bans slave importation "into any of the Thirteen United Colonies"
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1776
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1
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Hopkins Published "A Dialogue Concerning the Slavery of the Africans"
Samuel Hopkins publishes, "A Dialogue Concerning the Slavery of the Africans," which appeals to the Continental Congress to abolish slavery
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1777
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1
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Vermont Ends Slavery
Vermont's Constitution makes slavery illegal. Several other states will follow suit during and after the American Revolution.
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1782
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1
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Black Loyalists Evacuate the United States
1782_block_1784_enter_An estimated 20,000 blacks_block_loyalists who fought for the Crown during the American Revolution_block_evacuate the United States from New York, Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina bound for the British West Indies, Canada, and England. Some are relocated to Freetown, Sierra Leone, Africa
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1782
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Manumission Bill
The Virginia legislature passes a manumission bill, encouraging private manumission of slaves. The following year, an act is passed providing for the emancipation of certain slaves who had served as soldiers in the Revolution.
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1783
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Slavery Spreads to Kentucky
A large-scale migration of Virginians to Kentucky begins. Slave owners take the institution of slavery with them into the new territories. This migration will continue throughout the first half of the nineteenth century
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1784
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1
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Congress Voted Against Limiting Slavery
Congress votes against Thomas Jefferson's proposal to prevent slavery from expanding into the western territories after 1800.
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1784
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Pennsylvania Aboloition Society Established
The Quakers and others establish the "Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of Slavery, for the Relief of Free Negroes and for the Improving the Condition of the African Race."_enter__enter_
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1787
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1
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Three-fifths Compromise
Congress adopts the U.S. Constitution with a "three-fifths compromise," allowing the South to count three-fifths of their slave population in determining representation in the House of Representatives.
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1787
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1
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Slavery Banned in the Northwest Territories
The Northwest Ordinance bans slavery in the Northwest Territories (north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River).
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1789
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Equiano Published Autobiography
Olaudah Equiano publishes his autobiography titled The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African.
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AD
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1791
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1
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Uprising in San Dominique (Haiti)
A massive slave uprising under the leadership of Toussaint L'Overture takes place in the French colony of San Dominique, later known as Haiti. This uprising causes concern throughout South America, the Caribbean, and slave-holding states in North America.
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1793
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1
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Whitney Invented Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney invents the Cotton Gin, making large-scale production of cotton profitable. The proliferation of cotton plantations throughout the upper south, southwest and Deep South expands the use of slave labor. The forced migration disrupts slave families and communities.
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AD
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1793
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1
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Fugitive Slave Law
Congress passes the first Fugitive Slave Law compelling judges to return runaway slaves to their owners
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AD
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1800
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1
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Prosser's Rebellion
Gabriel Prosser's rebellion conspiracy is uncovered in Richmond, Virginia. Twenty-seven blacks are executed for their involvement in the rebellion.
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AD
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1806
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1
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Revised Manumission Law
The Virginia Legislature reverses the major provisions of the 1782 Manumission Law. All slaves manumitted in the future must leave the state within one year.
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AD
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1808
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1
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Constitutional Ban on Importation of Slaves
A U.S. Constitution's ban on the importation of slaves goes into effect, as does the British Abolition Act prohibiting British participation in the Atlantic slave trade
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AD
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1820
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1
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Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise is passed. Maine enters the union as a free state, and Missouri enters as slave state. Slavery is prohibited in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36_block_ 30" parallel, which is Missouri's southern border
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AD
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1822
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1
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Vesey's Insurrection
Denmark Vesey's insurrection conspiracy is uncovered in Charleston, South Carolina. Thirty-five slaves are executed for their involvement in the insurrection
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AD
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1822
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1
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Liberia Founded
The colony of Liberia, on the west coast of Africa, is founded for freed slaves through the efforts of the American Colonization Society that had been founded in 1817.
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AD
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1829
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1
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Walker Published Appeal
African-American David Walker of Boston pens a challenge to slavery titled Appeal, In Four Articles: Together With A Preamble To The Coloured Citizens Of The World. . . , calling for mass uprisings and violent reprisals against slaveholders
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1830
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1
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First National Negro Convention Held in Pennsylvania
The first National Negro Convention meets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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1831
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1
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Garrison Published "The Liberator"
William Lloyd Garrison publishes the first issue of his abolitionist newspaper, The Liberator, in Boston Massachusetts
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AD
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1831
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1
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Turner's Revolt
Nat Turner's revolt in Southampton, Virginia ends with 60 whites killed, 25 blacks executed for their involvement in the revolt. An additional 115 blacks are executed later for their supposed involvement. The Virginia legislature responds by voting against gradual emancipation, making the slave code more restrictive, prohibiting the education of slaves, and placing limits on black preaching
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1832
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1
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Stewart Spoke Publically
Free black Maria Stewart, considered the first black female journalist, begins a year of public speaking. She also writes for William Lloyd Garrison's famous abolitionist newspaper, The Liberator, posing the question, "How long shall the fair daughters of Africa be compelled to bury their minds and talents beneath a load of iron pots and kettles?"
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1833
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1
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American Anti-slavery Society Founded
The American Anti-slavery Society is founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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AD
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1834
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1
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Congress Implemented Gag Rule
Congress implements a gag rule tabling abolitionist petitions automatically. It remains in effect until 1845.
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AD
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1834
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1
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Parliament abolishes slavery in the British Caribbean colonies
Parliament abolishes slavery in the British Caribbean colonies
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AD
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1839
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1
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Amistad Mutiny
In July, the most famous slave mutiny in U.S. history takes place aboard the Spanish slaver, Amistad. Former president John Quincy Adams defends the rebels before the Supreme Court, which grants the rebels their freedom. Slave rebellions aboard ships are fairly frequent. One historian estimates that 36 percent of the slave voyages between 1751 and 1775 had shipboard rebellions. Between 1776 and 1800, 21 percent of the voyages experience a rebellion during the middle passage.
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1845
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1
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Douglas Publishes Autobiography
Frederick Douglass', The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, is published.
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1847
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1
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Douglas Publishes Anti-slavery Newspaper
Frederick Douglass publishes an anti-slavery newspaper titled The North Star
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AD
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1850
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1
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0
Congress Passes Compromise of 1850
Congress passes The Compromise of 1850. "Popular sovereignty" and Fugitive Slave laws require citizens to aid in retrieving runaway slaves
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AD
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1851
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1
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0
Sojourner Truth delivers her "Ar_block_nt I a Woman" speech in Akron, Ohio
Sojourner Truth delivers her "Ar'nt I a Woman" speech in Akron, Ohio
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AD
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1851
1
1
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0
Slavery Abolished in Latin American Countries
Slavery is abolished in Columbia, and over the next few years, is also abolished in Argentina, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia
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AD
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1852
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1
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Harriet Beecher Stowe publishes Uncle Tom_block_s Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe publishes Uncle Tom's Cabin
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AD
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1854
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1
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0
Kansas Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act repeals the Missouri Compromise, thus removing anti-slavery restrictions north and west of the 36_block_ 30" parallel line in Louisiana._enter__enter_
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AD
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1854
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1
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Lincoln University Chartered
Lincoln University, the nation's first Negro college, is chartered as Ashmum Institute at Oxford, Chester County, Pennsylvania
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AD
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1857
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1
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0
Dred Scott Decision
The Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision legalizes slavery in the territories and provides that slaves and the descendents of slaves may never be citizens._enter__enter_
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AD
0
1859
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1
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Brown's Raid
John Brown, along with a band of 22 men, attempts to liberate slaves and seize the Harpers Ferry armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Brown is subsequently tried, convicted, and hanged for treason against the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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AD
0
1860
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1
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1860 Population
The population of the United States is approximately 12,300,000, with 4,000,000 enslaved. There are approximately 1,500,000 white families in the American South. 385,000 of those families are slaveholders. Fifty percent own no more than 5 slaves, 12 percent own more than 20 slaves, 10,000 own more than 50 slaves, 330 own more than 100 slaves, 9 own more than 500 slaves, and one owns more than 1,000 slaves. Seventy-three percent of all slaveholders own fewer than 10 slaves
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AD
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1860
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1
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0
Lincoln Elected
Abraham Lincoln is elected president of the United States. Angered by his election, southern states begin seceding from the Union
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AD
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1861
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1
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Virginia Secedes
April_enter_Virginia secedes from the Union after Lincoln calls for troops to put down a state's rights revolt in the Deep South
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AD
0
1863
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1
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0
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation, which in reality frees no one, is issued declaring all slaves in areas rebelling against the Union to be free. This excludes the town of Portsmouth, Virginia and the city of New Orleans, Louisiana.
Virginia Slave Laws
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AD
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1662
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1
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1662 Law
WHEREAS some doubts have arisen whether children got by any Englishman upon a Negro woman should be slave or free, Be it therefore enacted and declared by this present grand assembly, that all children borne in this country shalbe held bond or free only according to the mother_ellipsis_ _[_Vol. II, p. 170]
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AD
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1667
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1667 Law
WHEREAS some doubts have risen whether children that are slaves by birth, and by the charity and piety of their owners made pertakers of the blessed sacrament of baptisme, should by vertue of their baptisme be made free; it is enacted and declared by this grand assembly, and the authority thereof, that the conferring of baptisme doth not alter the condition of the person as to his bondage or freedom; that diverse masters, freed from this doubt, may more carefully endeavor the propagation of Christianity by permitting children, though slaves, or those of greater growth if capable to be admitted to that sacrament_ellipsis_ _[_Vol. II, p. 260]
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AD
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1669
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1
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1669 Law
WHEREAS the only law in force for the punishment of refractory servants resisting their master, mistris or overseer cannot be inflicted upon Negroes, nor the obstinancy of many of them by other than violent meanes supprest, Be it enacted and declared by this grand assembly, if any slave resist his master (or other masters order correcting him) and by the extremity of the correction should chance to die, that his death shall not be accompted felony, but the master (or that person appointed by the master to punish him) be aquit from molestation, since it cannot be presumed that prepensed malice (which alone makes murther felony) should induce any man to destroy his owne estate_ellipsis_ _[_Vol. II, p. 270]
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AD
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1680
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1
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1680 Law
WHEREAS the frequent meeting of considerable Negro slaves under pretense of feasts and burials is judged of dangerous consequence; for prevention whereof the future, Bee it enacted by the kings most excellent majestie by and with the consent of the generall assembly, and it is hereby enacted by the authority aforesaid, that from and after the publication of this law, it shall not be lawfull for any negroe or other slave to carry or arme himself with any club, staffe, gunn, sword or any other weapon of defence or offence, nor goe or depart from of his masters ground without a certificate from his master, mistris or overseer, and such permission not to be granted but upon perticuler and necessary occasions; and every Negro or slave soe offending not having a certificate as aforesaid shalbe sent to the next constable, who is hereby enjoyned and required to give the said negroe twenty lashes on his bare back well layd on, and soe sent home to his said master, mistris, or overseer_ellipsis_ _[_Vol. II, p. 481
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1705
1
1
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1705 Law
BE it enacted, by the governor, Council, and Burgesses of this present general assembly, and it is hereby enacted, by the authority of the same, That if any person or persons shall, from and after the publication of this act, steal any hog, shoat, or pig ebery person so offending shall, for the first offence, receive on his or her bare back, twenty-five lashes, or pay ten pounds current money of Virginia; and if a Negro, mulatto, or Indian, thirty-nine lashes well laid on, at the common whipping-post of the county wherein such an offence shall be committed, or the party offending, arrested; and moreover, shall pay and satisfy four hundred pounds of tobacco, for every such hog, shoat and pig; one half of the afore-mentioned fine to be to the owner of such hog, shoat, or pig; and the other half to the informer: To be recovered, with costs, at the suit of the informer, by action of debt, bill, plaint, or information, in any court of record in her majesty's colony and dominion, wherein no essoin, protection, or wager of law, shall be allowed. And if any person or persons, shall the second time offend, by stealing any hog, shoat or pig, he or she so offending, and being thereof the second time convicted, shall stand two hours in the pillory, on a court day. And have both ears nailed thereto, and at the end of the said two hours, have the ears cut loose from the nails: which judgment, the county courts in this colony, are hereby inpowered to give respectively, and to award execution thereon accordingly: Saving always and reserving to each party concerned, liberty of appealing to the general court; provided they give bond, with good security, in the sum of twenty pounds of sterling, for his or her personal appearance in the general court, according to the appeal, and to perform and abide what they shall award therein; and moreover, each party offending as aforesaid, shall pay and satisfy four hundred pounds of tobacco for every such hog, shoat and pig: to be recovered and divided as aforesaid_ellipsis_ _[_Vol. II, p. 227]
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1723
1
1
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0
1723 Law
BE it enacted, by the Lieutenant-Governor, Council, and Burgesses. Of this present General assembly, and it is hereby enacted, by the authority of the same, That if any number of Negroes, or other slaves, exceeding five, shall at anytime hereafter consult, advise, or conspire, to rebel or make insurrection, or shall plot or conspire the murder of any person or persons whatsoever, every such consulting, plotting, or conspiring, shall be adjudged and deemed felony; and the slave or slaves convicted thereof, in manner herein after directed, shall suffer death, and be utterly excluded the benefit of clergy, and all laws made concerning the same_ellipsis_ _[_Vol. IV, p. 126
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AD
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1723
1
1
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1723 Law II
AND be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That no Negro, mulatto, or Indian slaves, shall be set free, upon any pretense whatsoever, except for some meritorious services, to be adjudged and allowed by the governor and council, for the time being, and a licence thereupon first had and obtained. And that, where any slave shall be set free by his master or owner, otherwise than is herein directed, it shall and may be lawful for the church wardens of the parish, wherein such Negro, mulatto, or Indian shall reside for the space of one month, next after his or her being set free, and they are hereby authorized and required, to take up, and sell said Negro, mulatto, or Indian, as slaves, at the next court held for the said county, by public outcry; and that the monies arising by such sale, shall be applied to the use of the said parish, by the vestry thereof_ellipsis_ _[_Vol. IV, p. 132]
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1732
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1
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0
1732 Law
BE it further enacted, That no Negro, mulatto, or Indian, either slave or free, shall herein after be admitted in any court of this colony, to be sworn as a witness, or give evidence in any case whatsoever, except upon the trial of a slave, for a capital offence; in which case they shall be allowed to give evidence, in the manner directed by one act of assembly, made in the ninth year of the reign of the late King George, intituled, An Act directing the trial of slaves committing Capital Crimes; and for the more effectual punishing Conspiracies and Insurrections of them; and for the better government of Negroes, mulattos and Indians, bond or free_ellipsis_ _[_Vol. IV, p. 327]
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1748
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1
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1748 Law
AND be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That if any negroe, mulattoe, or Indian, bond or free, shall at any time, lift his hand to his or her hand, in opposition to any Christian, not being negroe, mulattoe, or Indian, he, or she so offending, shall for every such offence, proved by an oath of the party before a justice of peace, of the county where such an offence shall be committed, receive thirty lashes, on his or her bare back, well laid on, by order of such justice_ellipsis_ _[_Vol. IV, p. 110]
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AD
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1752
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1
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1752 Law
BE it enacted, by the Lieutenant-Governor, Council, and Burgesses, of this present General assembly, and it is hereby enacted, by the authority of the same, That from and after the tenth day of June, it shall not be lawful for any negroe, or other slave or slaves, in the counties aforesaid, in going from one plantation to another, to carry with him, her or them, any dog whatsoever, other than is herein after excepted; and if any slave or slaves, shall presume to carry about with him, her or them, any dog, contrary to the intention of this act, it shall and may be lawful for any person or persons whatsoever, to kill and destroy every such dog; and moreover, the slave or slaves so offending, shall, upon complaint made before any justice of peace, receive on his, her, or their bare back, twenty lashes, by order of such justice_ellipsis_ _[_Vol. VI, p.295]