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Coming Into America
The first group of 20 Africans was brought to America. They stayed in Jamestown, Virginia, and were forced to become slaves. -
Langauge
Slaves were forced to speak English exclusively because slave owners thought that they were planting against them. Africans spoke an English-based Atlantic Creole called plantation creole. -
African Americans Religion
Before Africans were brought to America, they were already very spiritual, having their own religious beliefs and ideas. However, when they were in America it was very difficult for them to keep their practices. After a while, many slaves converted to Christianity. -
Their Music
Once slaves started converting to Christianity, they used music to express their emotions. They created Spirituals, forms of Christian songs that contained codes that helped them communicate with each other. Spirituals were a huge part of the Underground Railroad as the songs were coded with directions and signals from other runaways. -
Slavery Begins to End
After the third year of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. This freed all slaves within the rebellious states. -
Black Codes
Black Codes are restrictive laws designed to limit the freedom of African Americans. Although slaves were free after the Civil War, white people still wanted them to limit what they could and couldn´t do. They also ensured that African Americans would still work for them, but only for very little money. -
African American Politics
When African Americans were slaves, they weren´t allowed to do anything let have a political opinion. Even after slaves were freed, Black Codes were put in place. This prevented them from being able to vote. -
Slavery is Abolished
The 13th Amendment was passed on January 31, 1865, by Congress. However, it was ratified on December 6, 1865. This document officially abolished slavery in the United States.
