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Introduction
Back in the 1600s, when explorers and people were first coming over from Europe and Africa, there were no slaves. Instead, Africans were coming over to Colonial Virginia and other states as indentured servants. However, the new world slowly went downhill. This timeline will follow along as laws were passed that were unjust, and it will also follow a man named Anthony Johnson as he makes himself a life in the colonies. -
Intro part 2
Anthony Johnson first came over when he was captured into slavery and taken to Luanda by the Dutch. He was traveling across the Atlantic on a ship called the Bautista, when it was captured by pirates. He was taken to the Bennett Plantation as a slave. 20 years later he buys freedom for himself and his wife. -
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Life of Anthony Johnson
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Anthony Johnson aquires land
Anthony Johnson and his wife acquired 250 acres of land in Northampton County from Captain Taylor. He made a successful plantation and had 4 children with his wife Mary. He owned 2 slaves and was baptized. This was important because it shows that Africans could own their own properties, plantations, and slaves. -
Anthony Johnson wins a case against a white man
Anthony Johnson had a slave called John Casar, who he owned for life. However, two white men said that John was indentured, and not owned. Anthony went to court and, believe it or not, he actually won against a white man. This is an important part of history because an African could actually go to court, and there was actually a chance that an African could win against a white man. Also, this shows that in this point in time Africans could own their own land and slaves. -
Act I
This act declares that if a white man is punishing his African slave, and he happened to kill him (or her), then it was not a felony and that the white man would not be punished. This represents diminishing progress because it shows a loss of legal protection for Africans. It, like most other laws, also diminished Africans' rights. It is also the first time slaves are referred to as property. -
Act VI, Part two
At the end of two hours, their ears would be cut off and the African could go free. This definitely represents diminishing progress because it shows an uncanny cruelness to others, and it also abuses Africans' rights. It would almost completely scare Africans into submission, and would give English men more control. -
Act VI
This act punishes slaves that stole someone's pig. If even one white man says that an African stole their or someone else's pig, then that African will be taken to court and, most likely, the African will be found guilty. The first time, the punishment was 39 lashes of a whip on their bare back (which is one under the kill total-40) and the second time; the African would have to stand in the pillory for two hours, while their ears are nailed to the pillory. -
Act XXII
Act XXII declares that all Negro, mulatto, and Indian slaves are real estate. This represents diminishing progress in colonial times because it shows that the English could not see through their greed and urge for power and control. They did not realize that all people are pretty much the same, no matter what the color of your skin is. This also represents what is pretty much the loss of all freedom for slaves. -
Conclusion
Colonial VA was a terrible place for Africans to live in for a very long time. Slowly it got better, until today, where there is hopefully very little or no racism at all. However, during this period of time, especially towards the end, Colonial VA was very harsh. Please, in your life, treat others equally and as you would like to be treated. -
Links
To learn about Act I: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/experience/living/docs1.htmlTo learn about Anthony Johnson's life: http://mdroots.thinkport.org/library/anthonyjohnson.asp
