Slavery Timeline

Slaves arrive in American

Jan 1, 1619

Slavery in America began when the first African slaves were brought to the North American colony of Jamestown, Virginia

Wilmot Proviso

Jan 1, 1846

designed to eliminate slavery within the land acquired as a result of the Mexican War (1846-48). Soon after the war began, President James K. Polk sought the appropriation of $2 million as part of a bill to negotiate the terms of a treaty.

Dred Scott

Jan 1, 1857

rgued 1856 -- decided 1857), the Supreme Court ruled that Americans of African descent, whether free or slave, were not American citizens and could not sue in federal court.