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Introduction to the Diminishing Progress of Slaves
During this time period, many Africans were brought to early America. Early Englshmen were growing more and more crops and as a result they needed workers to help. Africans were first brought over here as indentured servants, to help with crops, but eventually they were brought as slaves for it was cheap labor. Over the years the laws grew slowly. As the laws grew, not many people realized what was happening. When they did realize, it was to late for the laws had become very powerful. -
Period: to
Diminishing Progress
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Anthony Johnson Acquires Land
Anthony Johnson owns land in the Northampton County. During this time it was not uncommon for free Africans to own bits of land, it was uncommon for them to own acres of land.This is important to the progression of Africans. It shows some of the few rights that Africans had that made them equal to Englishmen. It also shows how far they had come from the beginning of their lives. -
Anthony Johnson Wins Courtcase Over an Englishman
Anthony Johnson wins courtcase over an EnglishmanIn 1654 Anthony Johnson wins a court case over an Englishman. Even though at this time in history still me rights, winning a court case over an Englishman was something that very rarely happenend. This is importanant because Anthony Johnson won over the Englishman to get back his slave. A free African owning a slave was something that was not really even thought about for free Africans to do. This was a major step towards improvement. -
The Condition of a Child Depends on the Mother
The Condition of a Child Depends on the MotherIn 1662 a law was passed that made a child serve according to the condition of the child's mother.This law was strange. English tradition was that a child's status came from the father. If a child's mother were to be enslaved and the father were to be free, the child would be enslaved. This is important because, it shows the start when Englishmen wanted more control and power over the Africans. This was a step to slowly turn Africans from humans to property. -
The Condition of a Child Depends on the Mother: Part 2
The Condition of a Child Depends on the MotherIf a mother were to be a slave, it was more likely that the decendents were to be slaves too. This also shows when the Englishmen started to think of slavery as a long term, or even eternity condition. -
Casual Killing of Slaves
In 1669, a law was passed that said that if any slave were to resist his or her master and was punished through violent means and killed, it would not be considered a felony.The matser or the person in charge of the slave would not be quetsioned. This is important to the diminishing process of slaves, because it is now showing how masters or slaveowners have official control of slaves. Slaves now are really considered property. Englishmen will soon start to become harsher on slaves. -
Csasual Killing of Slaves: Part 2
Africans will start to feel fear. Any hope of escaping or freedom will probably be decreased. Very few Africans will try to stay strong.Englishmen see this as an oppertunity to gain back any power lost. They will take this to a whole new level. -
Slaves Punished for Hog Stealing
Now as slaves are in bondage basically for life, many of their rights have been taken away. Many slaves are being treated poorly, and are under very sad circumstances. Many slaves are malnourished and are resulting to one of the only options, hog stealing. "All in all, punishment hardens and renders people more insensible; it concentrates; it increases the feeling of estrangement; it strengthens the power of resistance."
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) German-Swiss philosopher and writer. -
Slaves Punished for Hog Stealing: Part 2
If a slave is convicted of this felony and found guilty, the slave will be tortured to the point of even death.This is important, because is show the poor treatrment of slaves and how they are not even considered as human beings. This is just another oppertunity for Englishmen to gain power over slaves, and create fear in Africans. -
Ending to the Diminishing Progress of Slaves
Throughout time, there have been many oppertunities for freedom. There have been many oppertunities for progress, and there have been many oppertunities for equality. It is up to future generations to take those oppertunities and use them wisely.
“We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.”
― Edward R. Murrow
