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Stono's Rebellion
In relation to slavery, this significant rebellion in South Carolina signifies the start of uprisings that would gradually increase in number, intensity and expanding geographical locations over the next several decades. It would be the start of the fall of slavery and mark the beginning of important movements to end enslavement in the colonies. Over time, these retaliations would begin to spread across a broader landscape causing riots and inducing paranoia and panic in slave owners. -
The New York Conspiracy Trials
In the shadow of paranoia and hysteria following the Stono Rebellion in the couple years prior, multiple arsons committed in New York stirred up fears of an inevitable uprising of slaves. This lead to the executions of a number of slaves and to some being sold across seas to prevent further trouble. This signifies the unraveling of control beginning with slave ownership which lead to an attempt at harsher penalties and punishments for those who should show any contempt for their enslavement -
Dunmore's Proclamation
To the right is an original copy of Dunmore's Proclamation. This document came from Virginia and promised freedom to any slave who would pledge loyalty to the crown with the victory of Britain. It had unforeseen consequences as the British did not support freedom with their allegiance and many slaves still chose to side with the Patriots. This ultimately lead to the driving out of Lord Dunmore from Virginia and leaving slavery untouched for the time being in that area. -
The Declaration of Independence
While not directly linked to the dissolution of slavery, this document that was enacted on July 4 of 1776 was the key turning point in American history when equal rights for all was to be fought for and denied to no one. It indirectly affected the slave trade in that it only advocated for equality to white men. Over time, this document would be the foundation of many movements that would provide the attempt at justice and equality to not only women but people of all race and ethnicities. -
Notes on the State of Virginia
The discrepancy of identifying men of color as equal was not missed by Thomas Jefferson which led to his penning of this document in 1783 in Virginia. He wrote about the urgency to end slavery and abolish all blacks from the state. While this may seem contradictory in light of their banishment, his reasons for doing so was to eliminate the potential discrimination that would proceed a slave to a free black man. It was a way to retain dignity in a place where a man was viewed as property. -
Ordinance of 1787
Another significant movement in the eventually dissolution of slavery was the Ordinance of 1787. This was enacted to ensure that slavery was nonexistent to the states in the Northwest colonies and to further pushed enslavement and beliefs in ownership into the south. Seeing further into history, one can begin to visualize how this would create a barrier between the North and South that would eventually solidify a conflict of interest that would turn into what we now know as the Civil War.
