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Jan 1, 1562
Sir John Hawkins
Sir John Hawkins was the first English sea-captain to start selling slaves to the Spanish colonies, starting in 1562.Other English pirates followed to do the same. -
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Slavery Timeline
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The first African Slaves arrive in Virginia
Twenty African-American men were imported into American colonies from the Caribbean. They were imported to provide plantation labour and profits for Britain. image link -
First American slave carrier is built and launched
The first American-built slave ship was named 'Desire' and was a two way slave transporter carrying Pequot Indians to the West Indies in exchange for African slaves. The conditions on board the ship was extremely poor as the ship was intended for cargo and not humans.
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Massachusetts is the first colony to legalise slavery
In 1641 Massachusetts became the first colony to legalise slavery, this was one through the passage of the Body of Liberties. Image link -
Britain start suppling African Slaves to English Colonies
In 1625 The British captured Barbados in the West Indies and in 1655 they secured Jamaica. This led to English slave traders started supplying African slaves to the English colonies.. -
Setting up of the Royal African Company
In 1672, the Royal African Company was set up to trade African slaves to the sugar plantations of the West Indies. -
Bacon's Rebellion
Bacon's rebellion was an armed rebellion in Virginia in 1676 led by Nathaniel Bacon against the political changes made by the governor at the time William Berkeley. over a thousand Virginians took part in the rebellion and ended up torching the capital. image link -
Asiento Contract
The Asiento contract was set up between Spain and British slave traders. 144,000 slaves a year were agreed to be traded to Spanish South America. This contract was part of the [Treaty of Utrecht].(https://www.britannica.com/topic/treaties-of-Utrecht) -
The Somersett Case
Lord Mansfield, an English judge, ruled that slavery was illegal in England in 1722. -
Slave rebellion in Stono South Carolina
This rebellion was led by natives of Africa, they recruited slaves as they travelled to Florida, killing several white men before being defeated by the militia of South Carolina. The Negro Act of 1740 was implemented as a response which restricted the education and assembly of slaves. image link -
Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade set up
The Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade was set up and was represented in Parliament by William Wilberforce. -
The Dolben Act
The Dolben Act limited the number of slaves a ship could carry, contributing to the abolition of the slave trade. -
Invention of Cotton gin
Cotton gin is a machine that separates cotton from its seeds and was invented by Eli Whitney. It greatly increased the demand for slave labour. image link -
Slave ablition bill bans British ships from carrying slaves to French colonies
A Bill presented by James Stephen banned British ships from carrying slaves to French colonies which stopped two-thirds of the slave trade. -
Abolition of the Slave trade (Britain)
The British Parliament abolished the slave trade -
The importation of slaves from Africa is banned
In 1808, The Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves took effect. This United States federal law stated that no new slaves were permitted to be imported into the United States. image link -
The Congress of Vienna abolished the slave trade
The Congress of Vienna, making peace at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, agreed to abolish the slave trade -
Slave Revolt
Nat Turner, an enslaved African-American preacher, led the most significant slave uprising in American history. The rebellion took place in Virginia where 55-65 people were killed. Turner was eventually hanged. Stricter slave laws in Virginia are consequently instituted. image link -
Abolition of the slave trade (British Empire)
The British Parliament abolished slavery in the British Empire -
Amistad Revolt
Aboard a cargo schooler named Amistad sailing to Cuba, a slave named Sengbe Pieh broke out of his shackles and released the other Africans. The slaves then revolted, killing most of the crew of the Amistad. The Africans then forced Montez and Ruiz to return the ship to Africa. This is one of the most famous cases of slave mutiny. -
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman manages to escape from slavery and fled by means of the underground railroad. She becomes one of the most celebrated leaders of the Underground Railroad. image link -
The Dred Scott case
The Dred Scott case was a hugely significant Supreme Court case which ruled that slaves could never be citizens of the United States, and that congress does not have the right to ban slavery. It became a catalyst of the Civil War. image link -
Harpers Ferry
The abolitionist John Brown and 21 followers attempt to launch a slave revolt in Harper's Ferry West Virginia. They manage to capture the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry. image link -
The American Civil War begins
Seven Southern slave states, out of the 34 US states, declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America in January 1861. The Civil War broke out in April 1861 when Confederates attacked the U.S. fortress Fort Sumter. The war lasted until 1865 when the Union won, however the war was the bloodies in U.S. history. The issue of slavery was a main cause of the war. image link -
Emancipation Proclamation
This is issued by President Lincoln on the 22 September 1863. It declares that 'all persons held as slaves are, and henceforward shall be free.' image link -
Slavery is Abolished
January 31 1965, slavery is abolished in the United States under the Thirteenth Constitutional Amendment. image link
