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Act X:Negroes can not have weapons.
Beginning in around 1639, the government passed laws that prohibited Negroes from having arms or ammunition. Consequently, Negroes would not be able to defend themselves when others attack them. Also, they could'nt hunt for animals they could eat. Negroes would not be able to get food easilly. This law made them very vulnerable. Afterwards, Negroes would have fewer freedom and rights. -
Document A: Anthony Johnson buys land.
In 1645, Anthony Johnson acquires land in Northampton County. There wasn’t always discrimination in colonial times. Before laws were enacted taking away Negroes' freedom, there were freedoms they enjoyed. They were able to buy land and servants. Negroes could also not be slaves and live their own life. The government had not yet put in laws that stopped Negroes from doing these things. Afterwards, significantly harsher laws were passed. -
Act 1:Any slave resisting its master can be killed
In October 1669, the government passed a law that allowed slaves to be killed if they resisted their master.They would now have to be very careful about everything they do since their masters might be able to kill them if they did one little thing wrong. This law also made rebelling against their masters harder to do. It also ensured that slaves would always obey their masters and do whatever they say. Later on, the government also passes laws that concern their children. -
Act 8: Slaves that run away or break the law can be hurt or killed.
Starting from September 1672, The General assembly passes a law that makes it legal to wound or murder a slave that resist arrest. This was to ensure that other servants and Native Americans wouldn't join together to rebel against their owners. Because of this law, unlawful activities are decreased in the colonies. The law also saves the owners from any more trouble since the slaves now have greater consequences. Later, the government passes a law that treats slaves even more like animals. -
Act 7: At age 12, slaves' children are to start work once they turn 12.
Colonial leaders decide that the slaves' children are to be capable of working once they turn 12. The owners can force them to work in their fields thus generating more revenue for them. They would have more money since more slaves are working for them. From now on, the owners will also be taxed for the child since they are their property now. But if the child was Christian, he would become their property at age 14 . The government imposes laws that restrict their freedom even more later on. -
Chap. 22: Slaves are now real estate.
A law is enacted that declares that all Africans, Mulattos, and Indian slaves can now be bought or sold. The owners now deicde their future and the slaves will have no say. The slaves are now basically animals and will probably have lost all hope of ever being free. They will have low self-esteem and have no more will to rebel. The government has now taken away all their basic human rights and the slaves' will be emotionally scarred forever. All these events represent diminishing progress. -
Chap. 22: Slaves are now real estate. (ctd.)
All of these events represent diminshing progress of slaves. The government slowly took away each right that slaves had and even restricted their children from living a normal life. Over the years, life got harder and harder for them and slowly diminished their hopes of progress of their lifestyles.
