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Introduction to Slavery
In 1619, the White Lion transported 20 enslaved African Americans to Jamestown, Virginia, marking the introduction of slavery in the United States. According to History.com, "the crew had seized the Africans from the Portuguese slave ship Sao Jao Bautista." -
The Slow Growth of Slavery
Roughly 2,000 of the 40,000 population of Virginia were imported enslaved individuals by 1671. -
George Washington Born
George Washington is born. -
The Stono Rebellion
The Stono Rebellion was the most significant uprising led by enslaved individuals. Occurring near the Stono River, more than 20 white people were killed. This group of rebelling individuals grew to about 60 enslaved individuals, who were soon tracked down and executed. Because of this, acts were passed to limit slave privileges. -
Rhode Island "Bans" Slavery
In 1774, it became illegal for enslaved individuals to be brought into the region unless they "posted bond to bring them out again within one year." -
First Abolitionist Society Formed
Formed by James Pemberton, Benjamin Rush, and Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia, the first Abolitionist Society sought to free enslaved individuals. Anthony Benezet, an advocate for anti-slavery, also participated and led the society, impacting many throughout Philadelphia. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was signed, which quietly condoned slavery. -
A Ban on Importing Slaves
With support from Thomas Jefferson, a law was passed that restricts the transportation of slaves into Virginia. According to Virginiamemory.com, "Before the American Revolution, more than 1,100 ships are known to have brought more than 93,000 Africans directly to Virginia." These ships also transported enslaved individuals to other states too. -
Children are Born Free
According to the New Hampshire constitution in 1783, children would be born free. -
Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance prohibited slavery in future Northwest states, such as Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan- "the ordinance encouraged education and forbade slavery." However, as soon as these territories became states, this ordinance would be revoked. -
Census Records Almost 700,000 Slaves in the U.S
The 1790 census, the first census ever recorded in the United States documented nearly 700,000 enslaved individuals in the U.S. -
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Census Records a Massive growth in Slavery
Enslaved individuals in the United States jumped from nearly 700,000 to over 3 Million in just 60 years. -
Deed of Gift
Robert Carter the III, an owner of at least 425 enslaved individuals, begins granting them freedom, marking the biggest manumission of enslaved individuals in the United States. He called this a "deed of gift," where he also provided the freed individuals with money and transportation and helped them become emancipated. -
The Cotton Gin
Eli received a patent for his invention, which sparked an interest in cotton farming and the slave trade- "after the invention of the cotton gin, the yield of raw cotton doubled each decade after 1800." -
Slave Trade Act
The Slave Trade Act of 1794 restricted the transportation of enslaved individuals through boats, stopping ships from "engaging in the international slave trade." During this time, trading and transporting slaves through boat travel became illegal in every state. However, slavery was not officially abolished. -
George Washington's Death
George Washington passes away. After his death, he released the enslaved individuals he inherited, causing many anti-slavery advocates to plead with other government officials to "follow Washington's lead." -
Slave population 1810
The 1810 Census records a slave population of 893,605. -
Gabriel's Conspiracy
Gabriel, an enslaved blacksmith, planned a rebellion in which he planned to take control of the Richmond, Virginia, armory and forcefully take control of the city, and hold Governor James Monroe hostage, thus freeing himself and other slaves. Eventually, he and about 26 to 40 others were executed for the conspiracy to overthrow the city. -
The Louisiana Purchase
Purchased from France, the Louisiana territory only expanded slavery and plantations. "Slavery already exists in the territory and efforts to restrict it fail; the new lands thereby permit a great expansion of slave plantations." -
Abraham Lincoln Born
Abraham Lincoln is born. -
North Vs. South Slave Populations
During the 1810s, Northern and Southern slave populations showed extreme differences- in the North, there were roughly 27,510 enslaved individuals. In the South, this number would reach over 1 million, occupying about 1,191,361 enslaved individuals by 1810. -
Slave Population 1820
The 1820 Census records a slave population of 1,583,000. -
Slave Population 1830
The 1830 Census records a slave population of 2,009,043. -
Pennsylvania Hall
Built by the Pennsylvania anti-slavery society, the Pennsylvania Hall was a place where individuals could speak freely about anti-slavery, women's rights, and other significant and political topics. However, three-four days after being built, it was "destroyed by arson." -
Slave Population 1840
The 1840 Census records a slave population of 2,487,000. -
Slave Population 1850
The 1850 Census records a slave population of 3,204,313. -
Slave Population 1860
The 1860 Census records a slave population of 3,954,174. -
States Begin Seceding
During the 1860s, many Northern states and territories began seceding, becoming independent because they conflicted with Southerners over slavery. According to Loc.gov, "The secession of South Carolina was followed by the secession of six more states—Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas–and the threat of secession by four more—Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. These eleven states eventually formed the Confederate States of America." -
Abraham Lincoln is Elected President
On November 6th, 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected president and made it clear that his overarching goal was to abolish slavery. President Lincoln won nearly all electoral votes from free states, "except New Jersey, where he wins 4 votes." -
Lincoln's Inaugural Address
In his Inaugural address, Lincoln explained how Southern and Northern states should be cordial with one another. He also notes that he won't interfere with Southern states, but will continue helping Northern territories maintain themselves. -
Fort Sumter - The Beginning of the Civil War
Despite Lincoln's efforts to maintain peace between the territories, Northern territories- the Union- and Southern territories- the Confederacy- fell into war. Occurring at Charleston Harbor, SC, this battle marked the beginning of the Civil War.