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Virginia Slave Act
The Virginia Slave Act was established by the Virginia Colony in 1705. It set precedence for slavery within the colonies and made the concrete distinction between slaves and servants. The Act also detailed that slavery is a lifetime classification which is established by the status of the mother. Slaves were officially branded as property. Virginia Colony, "Of the Servants and Slaves in Virginia"
Virginia, Digital image. Waterton. -
Fort Mose
Fort Mose was a Spanish settlement just north of St. Augustine, FL. It provided a safe haven for runaway slaves. Many made passage from the English Carolina colonies in an effort to escapes harsh conditions and mistreatment with the expectation of freedom and Spanish security. Fort Mose was the first legal settlement in America for free Africans. "Fort Mose Historical Overview." History. https://www.fortmose.org/history/. Fort Mose, Digital image. PBS.com. Accessed June 22, 2017 -
Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation
John Dunmore, the Governor of Virginia, urges slaves and indentured servants of British rebels to join forces in an effort to protect the British crown. In exchange, he would grant them freedom. He did this in attempt to utilize disregarded manpower. Unfortunately, many died of sickness before the end of the American Revolution. Though, his proclamation made a lasting impact on the enslaved.
John Murray, "A Proclamation"
The Coming Revolution. Digital Image. Wordpress.com.Accessed June 24,1017 -
Declaration of Independence Deletes Anti-Slavery Clause
Thomas Jefferson wrote a passionate anti-slavery clause that was omitted from the final version of the Declaration of Independence. This is attributed to the perceived economic and financial impact on southern prosperity. Slaves were viewed by many powerful leaders as an economic stock rather than human beings worthy of natural rights.
The Declaration of Independence and the Debate of Slavery. Accessed June 25, 2017.
Digital Image. HistoryNewsNetwork.com. Accessed June 25, 2017 -
Vermont Abolished Slavery
Vermont became the first state to abolish slavery in 1777. This made a substantial stance in the newly established country. New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut would follow suit with gradual method, such as age limits. of abolishing slavery. Boston, Nicholas, and Jennifer Hallam. "Freedom & Emancipation." PBS. Accessed June 26, 2017.
Digital Image. Eji.Com Accessed June 26, 2017 -
Fugitive Slave Act
Fugitive Slave Act, first enacted in 1776 but revised and replaced in 1850, mandated that runaway slaves be returned to their owners even if caught in abolished states. Anyone assisting their escape was subject to up to 1 year in jail and a $500 fine. This law further supports that Southern states were attempting to preserve their slavery based economy.
U.S. Congress. "Fugitive Slave Act of 1793" Accesses June 25, 2017
Operations of the fugitive slave law. Digital Image. Padresteve.com -
Invention of The Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney invented the Cotton Gin in 1793 and it had a profoundly lucrative effect on the cultivation of cotton in the south. It created increased labor production and increased financial gains. Because of this, southern slave holders derailed all hopes of emancipation..
Cotton Gin and Eli Whitney. History.com. Accessed June 25, 2016
Slaves Using First Cotton Gin. Digital image. Gettyimages.com. Accessed June 25, 2017 -
The Act to Prohibit the Importation of Slaves
Thomas Jefferson successfully proposed this federal law that barred colonial importation of new slaves. It included all races, not just African. The failure to follow the law was punishable by imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. Because Southern economy greatly relied on slave labor, it was vastly disregarded and slave smuggling was a common practice. Ninth Congress, "The Act to Prohibit the Importation of Slaves"
Early abolitionist drawing, Digital image. History.com. Accessed June 23, 2017 -
German Coast Uprising of 1811
One of the largest slave rebellions in US history occurred in the Territory of Orleans. 500 slaves were armed and burned down plantations. Ultimately, white militia brutally executed key leaders. This uprising signifies that the enslaved did not accept repression and would risk it all to access freedom.
Fessenden, Marissa. "How a Nearly Successful Slave Revolt Was Intentionally Lost to History." Smithsonian.com. Accessed June 23, 2017. Lorraine Gendron, Revolt, Nola.com. Accessed June 23, 2017
