Causes of the Civil War Timeline and Tension Meter

By Erob731

  • 1619

    The Africans were sold as indentured servants, not slaves.

  • 1641

    Massachusetts Bay Colony legalizes slavery.

  • 1660

    Virginia legalizes slavery.

  • 1663

    Maryland becomes the first colony to enact laws that recognize slavery for life. Under prior English law slaves who became Christians were granted freedom.