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First African American slaves are brought to Virginia
The first slaves were brought to Jamestown Virginia to help with lucrative farming businesses such as Tobacco plantations. This is important in African American history because this is the first time Africans were held as slaves and servants against their wills. This event started the unfair treatment that led to the evolution of all African American history. *The date is not correct but this is the correct year. -
Massachusetts is the first colony to legalize slavery
This is one of the most important events because this is the first time it became legal to hold these people against their wills. The number of black slaves/workers in the South out numbered the white voluntary workers because they stayed away from plantations. Becaus eof this event other colonies followed by passing laws about the children of slaves and non- christian slaves for life. *date is only correct in year -
Stono Uprising
This is the most important slave rebellion located in South Carolina. The slaves out numbered the whites and killed 20 people until they were intercepted by the local Militia. Although this wasnt the first uprising due to unfair treatment it was the biggest and most impactful. -
George Washington Takes Command
When George Washington took command he barred any further recruitment of African Americans in the army. This is after freed and slaved black men participated in the revolution after the Boston Massacre. Over 5,000 Black men fought for the continental army up until this point WITH white men. African Americans wanted to fight to improve the views of heir white neighbors. This event took away this right from them. This event showed that white men feared blacks gaining power and respect. -
Declaration of Independence
This declaration written to defend the rights of people was written by Thomas Jefferson, who owned over 200 slaves. This document proved the insignifigance of the lives of African Americans. A freed African American, Prince Hall sent in petitions for the abolishment of slavery but such petitions were completely ignored. -
Northwest Ordinance
This was the first step to stopping slavry particularly in large Northwest territory. This is the first time african americans began to recieve fair treatment by people in the north. By 1790 there were over 59,000 freed slaves. This event is also important because it motivated the south to begin to relieve the pressures on slaves and begin reevaluating the idea of slavery in many parts. -
Constitutional Convention
This convention was to set the standards of government in the newly founded United States of America. After African Americans fought in the war for both sides as both slaves and free men this convention only continued the institution of slavery and unfair treatment of blacks regaurdless of their army achievments. It is important to mention this event because it took away any hopes of a free world blacks had imagined after the war and new government. -
Invention of the Cotton Gin
The invention of the cotton gin promoted the cultivations of cotton in the deep south where slavery was still prominent. The increased demand all over the world meant that there was more jobs that needed to be done on the farm which further promoted the idea of slavery to plantation owners. Slavery was a cheap way to insure the work would be done and money would be made even if it involved the unfair treatment of African Americans. This invention really haulted the idea of freedom for blacks. -
Abolishing the Slave Trade
This even is extremely important because it meant no new slaves coulld be brought in. Although black African Americans saw this as a victory, it brought a higher demand for slaves and a shorting of them. The fugitive slave act played into many events and many mixed children and old slaves were captured and sold but into slavery with little or no hope of rescue becuase they were worth so much now. -
American Society of Free Persons of Colour and the Black Church
This society was important to the growth of black communities. This society provided social aid to poor blacks and helped them organize political responses. Many black communities came together with Black churches, which became the focal point for these communities. Here, freed blacks could get an education and start evolving in the communities. -
The Dred Scott Decision
After living in a free State of Illinos with his master, Dred Scott sued for his freedom after his masters death. He was denied because blacks were not citizens and would "never" be citizens. This event shows that African Americans were still not considered equal to whites or even humans. This decision was eventually reversed by the Civil Rights act of 1865 but before this time this event showed th epoor treatment of blacks. -
Emancipation Proclamation
This promised freedom to the slaves in the southern states if the union won the war. This was an important step in the abolishment of slavery. This also helped suitable freed black men join the service during the civil war and stopped limitations of black men who wanted to fight along side their white neighbors. Many times it was learned that black and whites would still be separated in the line of duty. Although slavery was abolished racism and hate was on the rise due to this document. -
Birth of the Ku Klux Klan
The KKK was one of the major hate groups that formed against minorities especially African Americans. Because of these groups there was a lot of organized racisim for blacks and life became very dangerous and uncertain. There were many lynchings and beatings of innocent black men and rapes of black women organized by this group. Such groups were in my opinion the center of racism. No one wanted to be their enemy because of the power they had. -
15th Amendment is Passed
This is important because, in my opinion, it is the last of the 3 most important amendments to be passed for African Americans. It granted "right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. This let African Americans have the same rights as white people and the same opportunity to pick a government for themselves. -
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
On this date the NAACP was founded which was a very influential group for African Americans even until today. It is the nations largest civil rights group. This group fought for African Americans throughout history and helped them achieved their current social standing within our society. It is important to the time because both black and white intellectuals founded the organization and worked together to support the rights of our African American people. -
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Harlem Renaissance
This time period also known as the "Negro Movement" was a literary, artistic, and intellectual movement that fostered a new black cultural identity. African Americans could show their feelings and emotions of fear love and life through music poetry and art instead of holding it in. Many African Americans flourished during this time adn worked together through art to fight for their rights. It showed these humans as talented individuals not just slaves. It shined a new light on these people. -
Integration of the Army
President Harry S. Truman passed a doctrine to integrate the US Armed forces. This is important because although African Americans participated in many if not all previous wars it was not official that the army would be integrated. I picked this even because during the course it was apparent how horrible the black soldier were treated even though they were willing to risk their lives. I belive this should have been taken care of much sooner in history and it is one of the most crucial events. -
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kans
This was the first time racial segregation of schools was considered unconstitutional. This allowed African Americans to attain and equal education. It is important to understand that many white people disagreed with this and cause great harm to black students. Many times black students would have to be escorted by police from the bus to the school because it was so dangerous. Many times buses carrying black studented were flipped and black students were harmed in unimaginable ways -
Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
This horrible event is one of the biggest events in all of history. This is someoneI learned about in elementry school and continued to focus on in school. This great hero for the African Americans and all people worked hard for peace. He believed that racial segregation should be stopped and voiced his opinions to his millions of followers in a peaceful manner. This is one of the biggest tragedys that happened in history. He is a heroand he made great strides in African American movement -
Election of President Barack Obama
This is our first black president elected into office. this is the greatest achievement of the African American people. For a Country that was once filled with so much hatred toward these innocent people and used them as slaves it is great to see an African American man as President. This should have happened a long time ago and I believe this even signifies complete equality of race.
