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1st Negro in America
Anthony Johnson also known as Antonio the Negro became the first African American to set foot upon colony soil. He worked his way out of indentured survitude and bought a tobacco farm of his own. He went on to raise a family and a well kept farm, but it was seized when he died. Some reports contradict this and say he arrived in 1621. -
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Black Hitory Timeline
Overview -
The Constitution of the US is signed
During the writing of the Constitution slavery was deemed too controversial and was given a set time to be abolished. 20 years for slavery to be weaned out of society seemed reasonable. It also declared slaves as 3/5ths of a person for taxing and population purposes only. -
African Slave Imporation is Prohibited by US
The transportation of slaves taken from their native home in Africa becomes forbidden in the colonies. -
Southhampton Insurrection
Also known as Nat Turner's Rebellion, this event was comprised of slaves revolting in Virginia, Southampton County. The revolutionists killed around 60 white people before the state was able to muster the malitia and put it down. 56 enslaved people were then executed and slave rights to education and assembly were restricted by law. -
Revolt on La Amistad
Sengbe Pieh (Joseph Clinque) leads 56 other slaves armed with cane knives against the crew of La Amistad. They killed most of the crew and only spared two navigationalists to help them find their way home. The crafty crewmen managed to get the ship boarded by the USS Washington and the slaves were taken as chattel yet again. But not without a fight -
US Supreme Court Case of La Amistad
Through three different trials, the slaves of La Amistad are pronounced free by the US Supreme Court. They were illegally acquired and were a violation of the 1808 Slave Prohibition Act. They were all brought home. -
Fredrick Douglass meets Thomas Clarkson
Sometime during 1846 Fredrick Douglass (slavery abolitionist and orator) sailed accross the Atlantic to meet with Thomas Clarkson. Clarkson was one of very few living British abolitionists who had been present in the persuasion of Parliament to abolish slavery in Great Britain and the British Colonies. This event had a profound effect on Douglass and gave him tools he needed to be successful. -
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Supreme Court ruling 7 to 2 that slaves and their decendants were not legal citizens and could not bring trial. Also ruled that slaves were chattel and couldn't be taken away from their masters without due process. This trial was the result of Dred Scott sueing for freedom from his master. The first attempt failed, but when he was given a second chande in 1850 he was pronounced legally free. -
Harriet Tubman
Sometime in 1849 Harriet Tubman (born Araminta Ross) escaped her slave holder and made the trek north to Philadelphia. She then came back for her family, and made 13 total missions into southern territory. She helped rescue over 70 slaves, organize the raid on Harper's Ferry, and lead an armed expedition in the Civil War. She was the first woman to do all of these things. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Published in 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe had produced one of the most successful books of the time period. It sold over 300,000 copies, second only to the Bible! It dealt with the realities of slavery in the South through the depiction of her character 'Uncle Tom. This ultimately lead to a strong wave of new abolitionists. -
Civil War begins
Bloodiest war in American history, fought on the issue of slavery. By 1862 three colored regiments had been formed, but were not authorized to fight until January 1st 1863. I chose April 12th because it was the first hostility between the Confederates and the Union. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Proclaimed freedom to 3.1 million slaves of the 4 million in America and immediately freed 50,000 of them. The rest were freed in the Union's advance through the South. -
The Civil War Ends
The surrender of Robert E. Lee at the Appomattox Court House marked the end of the Civil War and the numerous lives it took. This event stood for the total ending of slavery in the South, and the victory of the Union (including the black troops). -
Assassination of President Lincoln
A tragic event ending the life of one of the greatest presidents to hold office. He had stood for blacks through his career (mostly at the end though) and represented a major abolitionist force. He was killed by John Wilkes Booth in an attempt to rally the remaining Confederates. But Booth failed the second part. -
13th Amendment
The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery. Thus, resulting in the legal ending of all slave action in the United States. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1866
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That all persons born in the United States and not subject to any foreign power, excluding Indians not taxed, are hereby declared to be citizens of the United States. It goes on to list all the new rights given to persons of color. Very important to abolitionist causes. -
14th Amendment
Pronounced equal rights to blacks. Very big step for black slave rights activists. Things were not as equal as they should have been, but it was progress. -
15th Amendment
Gave full voting rights without accordance of color, race, or previous servitude. It did not expunge the ability to stop a man from voting, however. This allowed whites to prohibit blacks from voting by force without issue. It was very important for blacks and was one of the biggest steps in black voting rights. -
March on Washington
A huge event led by Dr. Marin Luther King Jr. culminating in his "I Have A Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial. Was attended by 200,000-300,000 people with about 75% being black. The speech was AWESOME! -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Prohibited major forms of descrimination in the United States. Was the biggest step for civil rights activists as a whole. Equality was finally in hand.
