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First Slaves Arrive In What Will Be U.S.
In 1619, the first slaves from West Africa arrive in Virginia -
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Slavery in the colonies
Legal slavery exists in the colonies that wold become the U.S. -
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Slavery in the U.S.
Slavery of Africans in the U.S. exists legally for this period. Although some states do outlaw the practice, it is not entirely banned until 13th amendment of the U.S. Constitution went into effect. Activity: Intro to Slavery Reading -
Gabriel's Rebellion
Attempted slave revolt in Virginia. Caught nearly immediately. -
Importation of Slaves to the U.S. outlawed
Per the U.S. Constitution, the slave trade ends. The population of slaves in the U.S., however, has been self-sustaining for several generations by 1808 -
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German Coast Uprising
200 African slaves in the New Orleans territory rise up on sugar plantations due to the poor working conditions (e.g. maiming by sugar presses). March on New Orleans (the city). 95 are killed and the revolt ends. -
American Colonization Society Is Founded
The American Colonization Society is founded as a way to end slavery through the purchase, manumission, and settlement of slaves outside the U.S. (mostly in Africa or Canada). The movement has garners support from many northerners, including free African-Americans. However, the latter group eventually convinced many white abolitionists of their desire to not just be free, but be Americans citizens. -
Denmark Vesey's Conspiracy for Uprising
Denmark Vesey, a slave who had purchased his freedom, seems to have planned an uprising in Charleston, South Carolina, to occur on July 14, 1822. He seems to have moved up the date to June 16, but was caught and 35 slaves and Free African Americans were executed -
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Nat Turner's Rebellion
Nat Turner (a slave preacher) and a handful of his fellow slaves rose up. By the end of his uprising, 80 slaves joined and killed 60 white plantation owners, their families, and overseers. Turner was eventually caught and executed with 55 others. 100-200 more slaves were killed by a white mob (despite not always being connected to the uprising). Activity/Lesson: Nat Turner Debate -
Slavery Abolished in British Empire
Although the law was passed in 1833, after a period of five years of forced "apprenticeship," all African slaves (and slaves of any other kind) are freed. -
Mutiny on the Amistad
Slaves being transported on board the Amistad (a ship) take it over and haphazardly steer it towards New York. Current president Martin Van Buren wants them returned to slavery in Cuba. John Quincy Adams, acts as their lawyer in the Supreme Court and eventually and got them freed. -
U.S. v. Amistad
John Quincy Adams argues that due to international treaties outlawing slave trading, that the slaves who took over the Amistad had to be freed. The Supreme Court, in a 7-2 decision, agreed and the slaves returned to Africa -
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U.S. Civil War
Civil war which pitted the United States (northern and western states) against the Confederate States of America (mainly southern states). The war centered on the issue of the expansion and continuation of slavery. Although most hostilities ended on April 9, 1865, it was ended by proclamation on May 9, 1865 -
13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution-Abolishes slavery in U.S.
At the end of the Civil War, the U.S. abolishes all kinds of slavery, apart for punishment as criminal activity. The amendment is ratified on December 6, 1865, but was not enforced until the 18th. -
14th Amendment of U.S. Constitution is ratified
The 14th Amendment is ratified. Known as a "Reconstruction," amendment, the goal of the addition was to define citizenship and equal protection under the law for people, regardless of race or previous servitude (i.e. slavery). It also punished former Confederates for their rebellion.