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Oct 4, 1500
Middle Passage
During the 1500s, the middle passage consisted of 10-12 million African Americans who were transported to work as slaves. Life on the ships were very filthy and contaminated with bacteria. At least 15% died from sickness and abuse. -
Spain and Portugal
In 1650, approximately 300,000 Africans were brought to Spain and Portugal. Slaves were forced into labor throughout the Spanish America. They were placed on plantations and in gold and silver mines. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Bacon's Rebellion started in 1676, led by Nathaniel Bacon, a former member of the governor's council. Nathaniel led a battle against the Indians after being told by the governor, Berkeley, not to attack the Indians. The fight was against Bacon's followers and Berkeley's loyalists. -
Slavery in the Chesapeake
Following 1700, Virginia and Maryland imported 1000s of slaves. In 1720, at least 20% of the Chesapeake population were Africans. The living conditions were less harsh than the West Indies. Quarters were smaller and diseases spread more easily, -
Plantation Slavery
In the 1700s the demand for tobacco increased and slave labor grew. At least 80,000 Africans arrived in the tobacco fields. -
Stono Rebellion
In 1739, Stono Rebellion was the largest slave uprising. The slave population in South Carolina consisted of 61% Africans. Over 100 South Carolin slaves had escaped in 1738. They fled to Spanish Florida where they formed a free black militia. Soon, war broke out between the British and Spanish. Many Euro-Americans were killed by this revolt of approximately 100 Africans. -
Stamp Act
In 1765 the Stamp Act was passed, raising taxes on printing materials, newspapers, and playing cards. Americans were directly taxed by this act and angered mobs formed. They claimed that the Stamp Act wasn't constitutional. Following these arguments the Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in 1766. -
Meermin
The Meermin was a slave mutiny that took place in 1766. It sailed off the coast of Madagascar with numerous slaves on board. The captain released the slaves from their iron shackles and gave them weapons to clean. But the slaves revolted and captured the ship. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Masacre occured after the Townshed Acts were enacted by the British Government. The Townshed Act taxed glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea. Colonists were insurgent and resisted this act. This movement led to the Boston Massacre of 1770. A British troop fired towards the mob of Bostonians, killing five innocent people. -
The Tea Act
Everyday many Americans drank a large amount of tea during the 1700s. Hoping to avoid bankruptcy the Parliament, placed taxes on tea. This act angered many merchants as many believed that this was a trick for them to pay taxes. -
Slavery spreads to America
Europeans established colonies in America. Their demand for cheap labor increased. During 1807, England abolished slave trade. At the end of the slave trade the English have imported about 1.7 million Africans. By 1830, nearly 2 million Africans were sold to British in North America. -
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Spreading to America
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Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was drafted in 1776. It stated that, "that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". Jefferson, Adams, and Benjamin Franklin explained in the declaration that they did not support slave trade because it was "cruel" and "against human nature itself".