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Diminishing Progress of Anthony Johnson
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Who is Anthony Johnson??? (Introduction)
Click here to learn more about Anthony. In 1620, Africans from Africa came to the new Colonial Virginia, but not all of them came as slaves. Anthony Johnson was not a slave when he came to Colonial Virginia because he changed his religion to Christianity so he could fit in. -
No Africans/Negroes May Own Guns
This is diminishing because negroes, like Anthony, are not allowed to own guns. Now, if they are any more masscres, like the Powhatan massacre, or shootings, the negroes won't be able to protect themselves. -
Anthony Johnson Owned Land!!!
This shows progress because Anthony Johnson, who became free in 1640 with his wife, Mary, had owned 250 acres of land, a small herd of cattle, and two black servants. This made him a position in the society. He did not work for a white man, but could work for himself. It also showed that he was a free African man. -
Anthony Won Against an Englishman!
Learn more about Anthony and the court Anthony proves that John Casar is really Anthony's slave. The court decided that John Casar must continue the service of Anthony Johnson, and Robert Parker, the Englishman, must pay all charge. This shows progress because at the time, Africans were not as valued as others, but the courts still had enough fairness to allow a negro to go to court. -
Casual Killing of Slaves
This is diminishing because if a slave resists his master in any way, he would become punished and has a chance of dying. This shows Africans are not valued as others and are just pieces of property. Englishmen would not be convicted of murder if they kill their slaves. -
Punishments for Hog Stealing Part 2
The negroes must have felt lots of fear because they would have a huge price to pay if they got caught stealing hogs. -
Punishments for Hog Stealing
Learn more about hog stealingThis is diminishing because if a negro was caught stealing a hog,they would get extreme punishments. This will affect negroes because they were extremely hungry and got caught, they would have a servere punishment that may lead to death. For the first time, there will be many lashes on your back. For the second, the negro will have his/her ear cut off. This is an act of dehumanizing the Africans because the Englishmen are showing that they have supreme control over the negroes by killing them. -
CONCLUSION
Anthony Johnson had much progress over the years, but many difficulties held other Africans back. If it wasn't for these laws, Anthony would not have been seen as a free negro, but as a part of the community. The negroes should not have been discriminated. All men are created equal so there should be no reason to disclude someone for their race.
