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Marks the beginning of the European colonization of Africa, entering the country into a broader economy and cementing interest in the Continent’s resources, while setting the stage for the Atlantic Slave Trade. -
While Slavery had existed prior to the discovery of the Africas, the Atlantic Slave Trade would create a wave of forced migration of Africans overseas. -
The growing Caribbean sugar industry necessitated a larger market for slaves, causing the Atlantic Slave Trade to Grow tremendously and the nature of slaves began to shift more towards property.
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Around this time, more female African slaves were being imported, which allowed Black Slave families to form. This would be the precursor to much of African American culture, as these family units worked to preserve aspects of their home culture while adopting aspects from the European Culture they were surrounded by.
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An attempted rebellion of both Black and White Slaves falls apart, causing the elite to realize the threat posed by slaves with rights, and pivoting the image of slavery as a burden exclusively for Black People. -
Colleges established in European enlightenment made education available to freed black folk, allowing black people to contribute to and be a part of human knowledge. Would stand to contrast the image of Black People as an ignorant labor class.
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Washington allows Black Troops to fight in Continental Army, the arming of Negros and opportunity for them to fight for the country cemented their status as part of the country and its people, which would affect future attempts to reduce them back to property.
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During the War for Independence , Lord Dunmore offered to liberate Slaves who joined British Army, shocking and scaring America into recognizing the power of African Americans. -
America’s official secession from Britain, emphasized focus on unalienable rights and liberties muddies the waters and questioned the morality of slavery. -
Vermont is the first state whose constitution prohibits slavery, beginning the trend of abolition in the North. -
Creation of the document that still governs the US to this day. Numerous clauses gave power to Slave owners, including Fugitive Slave Act and the Three-Fifths Clause. -
A failed Slave rebellion lead by a man named Gabriel. Served as an example of Black Slaves being capable of organizing and have hope for liberation, spurring an already revolutionary movement.
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Very harsh laws enacted against Black people, enforcing their capture and making it difficult to prove their freedom. Fostered much resentment between Black and White Abolitionists. -
Supreme Court ruled Black Men had no rights and were property, Further enraging Black Folk and upsetting the vision of the status quo. -
Conflict between the North and South over the South’s right to secede and own slaves, resulting in the Emancipation and formal outlawing of Slavery. -
A series of post-war deals that ultimately undermined the rights of newly Free Black men, marking the White Supremacist’s continued ongoing effort to secure black people as a cheap labor force even after the outlawing of Slavery.
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Emerged in the 1930’s as a powerful force for the advancement of Black Men in academics, economics, and Civil Rights. -
Enormous cultural explosion, helped to define the identity of Black people and culture and draw attention to the population. -
Like the Revolutionary War, brought into question the validity of American values with domestic struggles, bringing the ideals of freedom and equality into question. Resulted in desegregation of US Military. -
Humongous growth in momentum for the fight for Civil Rights, spearheaded by Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, who motivated and organized the Black community to protest and fight against systemic racism plaguing the system.