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1400
Portugese Colonization of Africa
Marks the beginning of the European colonization of Africa, entering the country into a broader economy and cementing interest in the Continent’s resources, while setting the stage for the Atlantic Slave Trade. -
1472
Atlantic Slave Trade formally begins
While Slavery had existed prior to the discovery of the Africas, the Atlantic Slave Trade would create a wave of forced migration of Africans overseas. -
1510
Carribean Sugar Industry Explodes
The growing Caribbean sugar industry necessitated a larger market for slaves, causing the Atlantic Slave Trade to Grow tremendously and the nature of slaves began to shift more towards property. -
Culture develops among Slaves
Around this time, more female African slaves were being imported, which allowed Black Slave families to form. This would be the precursor to much of African American culture, as these family units worked to preserve aspects of their home culture while adopting aspects from the European Culture they were surrounded by. -
Bacon's Rebellion
An attempted rebellion of both Black and White Slaves falls apart, causing the elite to realize the threat posed by slaves with rights, and pivoting the image of slavery as a burden exclusively for Black People. -
Black Enlightenment
Colleges established in European enlightenment made education available to freed black folk, allowing black people to contribute to and be a part of human knowledge. Would stand to contrast the image of Black People as an ignorant labor class. -
Washington Re-allows Black Troops
Washington allows Black Troops to fight in Continental Army, the arming of Negros and opportunity for them to fight for the country cemented their status as part of the country and its people, which would affect future attempts to reduce them back to property. -
Dunmore’s Proclamation
During the War for Independence , Lord Dunmore offered to liberate Slaves who joined British Army, shocking and scaring America into recognizing the power of African Americans. -
Declaration of Independence
America’s official secession from Britain, emphasized focus on unalienable rights and liberties muddies the waters and questioned the morality of slavery. -
Emancipation
Vermont is the first state whose constitution prohibits slavery, beginning the trend of abolition in the North. -
Signing of the US Constitution
Creation of the document that still governs the US to this day. Numerous clauses gave power to Slave owners, including Fugitive Slave Act and the Three-Fifths Clause. -
Virginia Revolution
A failed Slave rebellion lead by a man named Gabriel. Served as an example of Black Slaves being capable of organizing and have hope for liberation, spurring an already revolutionary movement. -
Fugitive Slave Law
Very harsh laws enacted against Black people, enforcing their capture and making it difficult to prove their freedom. Fostered much resentment between Black and White Abolitionists. -
Dred Scott Decision
Supreme Court ruled Black Men had no rights and were property, Further enraging Black Folk and upsetting the vision of the status quo. -
Civil War
Conflict between the North and South over the South’s right to secede and own slaves, resulting in the Emancipation and formal outlawing of Slavery. -
Reconstruction Acts
A series of post-war deals that ultimately undermined the rights of newly Free Black men, marking the White Supremacist’s continued ongoing effort to secure black people as a cheap labor force even after the outlawing of Slavery. -
Formation of the NAACP
Emerged in the 1930’s as a powerful force for the advancement of Black Men in academics, economics, and Civil Rights. -
Black Chicago Renaissance
Enormous cultural explosion, helped to define the identity of Black people and culture and draw attention to the population. -
World War II
Like the Revolutionary War, brought into question the validity of American values with domestic struggles, bringing the ideals of freedom and equality into question. Resulted in desegregation of US Military. -
Long Freedom Movement
Humongous growth in momentum for the fight for Civil Rights, spearheaded by Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, who motivated and organized the Black community to protest and fight against systemic racism plaguing the system.