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"20 and Odd"
The "20 and Odd" were the first known slaves to set foot in North America in Jamestown. -
The Demand for Slavery
The demand for slaves grew as people started plantations and needed laborers. Hiring people was expensive and beat the point of growing cash crops. Slaves didn't get pay and worked however long you would want them to. As farmers and plantation owners came to realize this, the demand for slaves increased drastically. -
Angela
The name Angelo appears on a 1624 census of a colony recently discovered. She was listed as a"Negro woman" who came to America on the boat "the Treasurer. She worked as a servant in the home of Captain William Peirce and his wife, June. Historians assume her name was actually Angela. -
Indians to Africans
William Berkeley, governor of Virginia in 1642, gave free land to to Cavaliers. These Cavaliers were mostly younger sons who couldn't inherit land. This free land gave them power, they needed free labor and most of the indians died of European diseases or hard labor. These plantation owners and farmers then turned to Africa where they literally could get a ship load of free labor. -
John Casor
John Casor was an black indentured servant, who also became the first legally recognized slave in America. -
Elizabeth Key
Elizabeth Key successfully took on a trial to free her and her son. Her mixed background most likely helped with this case. -
A Virginia Slave Law
Viginia passed a law, shortly after the trial of Elizabeth Key, stating that any children born to a slave mother would also be a slave whether or not their father was a free english man. -
Percent of Blacks in the South
In 1670, 6 percent of southerners were black. -
Selling Slaves
During 1700 to 1740 54,000 slaves were sold to Virginia and Maryland. The majority were sold to the tidewater counties. -
Percent of Blacks in South
By 1700, more than 20 percent of southerners were black. -
The Virginia Slave Code of 1705
The Virginia Slave Code of 1705 said that a slave could be a person imported from another nation who was not Christian. A slave could also be a Native American who were sold to colonists by other Native Americans. -
Georgia Prohibiting Slavery
In 1735, Georgia passed a law prohibiting slavery. This was to help farmers get a new start. It was also to help prevent slave rebellions so Georgia could be focusing on protecing itself from the Spanish. -
Virginia's Profits
Virginia profited from the selling of slaves. Slaves that Virginia already owned would hava kids and Virginia would sell those kids to other states. Virginia made a lot of money this way. -
Georgia Allowing Slavery
By 1750 Georgia allowed slavery in the state because it was unable to get enough indentured servants. -
Slavery in the North
Slavery in the North was far more fairier than slavery in the South. Slaves in the North were given religious instruction and sometimes taught to read and write. More free Blacks lived in New England than in any other region in America. -
Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley was a slave to a tailor in the North. She was taught to read and write. Phillis Wheatley is known for her poem writing. A book of her poems waas published in 1773 -
Slaves in the British Army
Vast amounts of slaves enlisted for the British Army. As promised they would get freedom after they served in the Roysl Army. -
Lord Dunmore's proclamation
Lord Dunmore, the royal govermor of Virginia, issued a proclamation which promised freedom for any slaves of American patriots who would leave their masters and join the royal forces. -
Anti-slavery myth
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Vermont against slavery
Vermont's constitution didn't allow slavery in 1777. -
Elizabeth Freeman
Elizabeth Freeman challenged slavery in Massachusetts. She took Slavery to court and won. Her victory helped to end slavery in the state. -
Quock Walker
Quock Walker challenged slavery in court in 1783 in a freedom suit. It was successful. -
Constitution allowing slavery
The Constitution of the United States allowed the importation of slaves. -
A Close to the Slave Trade
Aware the trade would end in 8 years, Georgia and South Carolina reopended their trade and imported around 100,000 slaves. -
End of the Slave Trade
The end of the slave trade was in 1808. Blacks were allowed to return to Africa if they wanted to, but many were born in the U.S. Slave traders were not allowed to capture slaves and sell them on penalty of death. The ships would be forfeited to other uses. The state would decide what to do with the Blacks that came upon these ships.