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Period: Jan 1, 1500 to
American Slavery
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The first Slave
The first Africans arrive in Virginia. They appear to have been indentured servants, but the institution of hereditary lifetime service for blacks soon develops. The vast majority of slaves will be transported from Africa to the West Indies. -
Becoming Legal
The practice of slavery becomes a legally recognized institution in British America. Colonial assemblies begin to enact laws known as slave codes, which restrict the liberty of slaves and protect the institution of slavery. -
Babies become slaves
Virginia enacts a law of hereditary slavery meaning that a child born to an enslaved mother inherits her slave status. -
Bacon's Rebillion
In Virginia, black slaves and black and white indentured servants band together to participate in Bacon's Rebellion. -
Violent Outbreaks in New York
An alleged slave revolt in New York City leads to violent outbreaks. Nine whites are killed and eighteen slaves are executed. -
Slaves flee to Florida
The Spanish reverse a 1730 decision and declare that slaves fleeing to Florida from Carolina will not be sold or returned. -
More Slavery
The Declaration of Independence declares that "All men are created equal." In spite of that, slavery remains a legal institution in all thirteen of the newly-established states. -
It Stops
The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, outlawing slavery.
