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Declaration of Independence
Is a document that declares "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Slavery remains legal in the colonies. -
Abolish Slavery in Virginia
The Virginia legislature passes a law, with Thomas Jefferson's support and probably authorship, that bans importing slaves into Virginia. It is the first state to ban the slave trade, and all other states eventually followed. -
Gradual Emancipation of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery was the most conservative of the laws emancipating slaves that were passed in northern states between 1780 and 1804. The law freed few slaves immediately. -
Massachuessets Bans slavery
The Northern states began adding laws to the constitution banning slavery. -
Virginia and Manumission
Virginia liberalizes its very strict law preventing manumission; under the new law, a master may emancipate slaves in his will or by deed -
New law in New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Constitution says children will be born free, but some slavery persists until the 1840s -
More States create laws for emancipation
Rhode Island and Connecticut pass laws providing for gradual emancipation of slaves. -
George Washington statement
George Washington writes: "There is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do, to see a plan adopted for the abolition of it [slavery].Civil War era historian William Blake says these "sentiments were confined to a few liberal and enlightened men. -
North West Ordinance
Congress under the Articles of Confederation passes the Northwest Ordinance to govern territory north of the Ohio River and west of Pennsylvania. Congress prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude in the territory and requires the return of fugitive slaves found in the territory to their owners. -
3/5 Compromise
The 3/5 compromise was added to the constitution to determine representation in the House of Representatives, slaves equalled 3/5 of a person. This shows sectionalism over slavery and the concern of which side has power in the government.
