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Period: Jan 1, 1528 to
European Explorers bring Slaves to the Americas
When America was being colonized, slavery was already a regular part of life. Slaves were brought to the Americas in large ships, and many died along the way. Slave trade was abolished in 1807, though slavery was still legal. -
Cotton gin is invented
The cotton gin was invented by Eli Whitney in 1793, though he did not get a patent until 1807. The cotton gin separated cotton fibers from their seeds. It led to the growth of slavery in the south states and contributed to the civil war. -
Slavery ends in GB
Slavery was abolished in Great Britain by the Slavery Abolition act in 1833. -
Amistad Trial
La Amistad was a slave ship that illegaly took slaves aboard. However, these slaves rebelled and were then taken into custody by the US. A court hearing followed which the Amistad won and the people upon it were considered free and taken back to Africa. -
Compromise of 1850
This compromise was five bills that divided the land gained in the Mexican-American war between North and South States. The laws also included banning slave trade in DC and the fugitive slave act. -
Fugitive Slave Act
This act was passed as a compromise between the North and South. It was very controversial - it allowed slave catchers to track down runaway slaves and return them to their masters. It was ended by the Emancipation Proclamation. -
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American Civil War
The American Civil War was waged between the north states and the south states. The union won, but it was a very bloody war, with almost a milion casualties. This was a key factor in abolishing slavery. -
The Emancipation Proclamation Signed
The Emancipation Proclamation abolished slavery in confederate states. It was signed by president Lincoln from his authority as the Commander in Chief. Slavery was completely abolished by the 13th amendment. -
Slavery Ends
Slavery officially ended in the USA when the 13 amendment to the constitution was ratified. -
13th Amendment Ratified
The 13th amendment declared that slavery is abolished in all US states and territories. This helped the reconstruction after the war and formally abolished slavery in the USA. -
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Jim Crow Laws
From the 1880s to the 1960s the Jim Crow laws enforced segregation in many different states. They were named after a black character in minstrel shows. They were ended by The Civil Rights Act of 1964. -
Slavery was ended in Brazil
Slavery was rampant in Brazil when the Portuguese began settling there. It was ended in steps, first by banning slave trade and then abolishing it all together. Brazil was the last country in the western world to ban slavery. -
Brown vs. Board of education—U.S. supreme court case
This court case stated that segregating schools is unconstitutional and unlawful. This decision overturned an earlier court case which supported segregation. This was a major step to stopping racial segregation. -
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Civil Right movement for African Americans in the U.S.
The Civil Rights Movements main goal was to stop racial discrimination towards blacks. It also aimed to restore voting rights to colored peoples. It was non-violent and was characterized by marches, boycotts, sit ins, and other peaceful protests. Many laws were passed during this time giving blacks more rights. -
The Murder of Emmett Till
On August 28, 1955, Emmett Till was murdered for hitting on a white shopkeepers wife by the shopkeeper. He was beaten, his eye was gouged out, and he had a bullet in his head. Blacks and Whites alike were disgusted by the crime and this helped to overturn racism and segregation. -
Freedom Riders Movement
Inspired by Rosa Parks, a group of civil rights activists boarded a bus in DC and took a trip and threw aside segregation. They were awarded and the law against segregation was enforced. -
Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination
Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights activist who preached to stop segregation. He also won the Nobel Peace prize. He was assassinated at the Lorein Motel by James Earl Ray. His death spurred riots. -
Last country to Ban Slavery
Mauritania, in West Africa, was the last country to officially abolish slavery. They made it illegal to own slaves only in 2007. This country has an unstable government and slavery is still rampart although it is illegal.
