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Anthony's Life and Slave Laws
Anthony Johnson's life starts out with progress, but later on the lives of all Africans living in Colonial Virginia start to become worse and worse. -
Overview (Part 2)
All the pieces came together, and Africans became the slaves we know from history books were recognized. But there was a lot of background before all of this hardship happened. This is Anthony Johnson's story, and how slave laws shaped other Africans' stories. -
Overview
When Africans first came to Colonial Virginia, they did not come as slaves, but as indentured servants. They did not come expecting bondage for life, they came for years of work, and then freedom. People like Anthony Johnson, an African from this time, tried to "fit in" in this new society. But Englishmen (white men) started to take away rights, slowly at first, then more and more followed. -
Africans Cannot Own Guns (Part Two)
If people really cared about African peoples' ability to protect themselves, they would provide them with guns as well. Englishmen are probably starting to feel more dominant over Africans at this point, and this little "taste" of power will affect African peoples' lives in the future. This is only the start of how many rights will be taken from Africans. -
Africans Cannot Own Guns
Other Gun LawsThis law states that everyone except for Africans will be given guns and ammunition. The law creates the first legal distinction between Englishmen (white men) and Africans (black men). At this point diminishing progress begins, because Englishmen will start to take away the rights of Africans. -
Anthony Johnson Owns Land
Virginia's First AfricansAccording to Court Case A (Anthony the Negro acquires Land in Northhampton County), Anthony Johnson recieved land from Captain Taylor, an Englishman. This shows that Africans do have a chance at living like Englishmen, the first step being owning land. This can lead to livestock, crops, and even slaves. -
Anthony Johnson Owns Land (Part 2)
The fact that Anthony owns land is very postive, because now he may have a shot at having a good life in this time period. This can lead to livestock, crops, and even slaves. He is being very successful at this point, just by owning land. That is something that is very important in his life, it is kind of the start of something, such as owning slaves, crops, and livestock. -
Anthony Johnson Owns a Slave (Part 2)
More About Owning Slaves In this court case, Anthony is persuaded to set his slave, John Casar, free. Later on (still in 1654), he returns to court, and his slave is given back to him. This also represents progression because Anthony actually wins a court case for his slave. At this point Anthony is certainly making his mark in Colonial Virginia. -
Anthony Johnson Owns a Slave
Slaves Owning Slaves This court case informs us that Anthony Johnson, a former slave himself, owns a slave. This is very positive, mainly because it is unusual for an African to own a slave. Anthony is, at this point in his life, becoming quite successful. He is starting to live like an Englishman. -
The Casual Killing of Slaves (Part 2)
Are Africans Considered People?Later on, more and more rights will be taken from Africans at a faster pace. The "no guns" law was an addition to the distinction between Englishmen and Africans, and the differences will get worse from this point on. -
The Casual Killing of Slaves
Distinction of AfricansThis law declares that if a slave is being punished and is "accidentally" killed, his master will not be charged with murder or go to court. It also mentions Africans as "estate" (property). This is truly diminishing progress, because now it is stated in the law that Africans are property. Now, Africans are starting to be dehumanized, which is definitely not a good thing for them. At this point, Englishmen are taking more and more rights from Africans, but it is slow at the moment. -
Punishments for Hog Stealing
Colonial AuthorityThis law declares the following punishments for stealing hogs: The first time, the slave will go to court and be whipped on his bare back thirty-nine times. The second time, the slave is tortured. These punishments are as bad as it gets for slaves. This is extreme diminishing progress, because now Englishmen have resulted to torture as a form of consequence for slaves. -
Punishments for Hog Stealing (Part 2)
This law is more about dehumanizing Africans and showing dominance than it is about punishment for stealing a pig. Englishmen are trying to show Africans power by creating fear. Again, this is far from progress, because now it's as if death wasn't enough to punish Africans, so Englishmen have resulted to torture. -
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Conclusion
Throughout this timeline, you have witnessed the dimishing progress of a slave's life. You may go on and think that this has nothing to do with today. But if you stop for a minute and think, diminishing progress is indeed in your life. The life of a slave is simply an example. If you really think about it, this could happen again. Africans may be discriminated again, or it could affect you directly. Do you think that Africans ever truly recovered from these laws? -
Conclusion (Part 2)
There are many ways to prevent this type of diminishing progress, which sadly resulted to torture, from reoccurring. If you pay attention to what is going on around you, you can pick up or notice things quickly. If you see something that is wrong, try to put an end to it. When people act as bystanders, what is happening will not stop. Africans of this time faced a lot of diminishing progress. Will you help others, even if it's not what everyone else is doing?
