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The First Slaves in America
20 Africans were seized and brought to Jamestown, Virginia, and traded as "indentured servants" for food, weapons, shelter, and other provisions. It is said these people were probably stolen off a Portuguese slave ship. This inspired other colonies to start investing in slaves and overall started the movement of slavery in the New World. -
The Revolutionary War
In 1775, General George Washington commanded officers in the war to allow free African Americans to join and fight in the war. Over 5,000 African Americans fought against the British. -
Fugative Slave Act
Congress passes a Fugative Slave Act that claimed that anyone helping or housing escaped slaves would be considered a criminal and arrested. -
The Missouri Compromise
Missouri was admitted to the United States as a slave state and Maine was entered as a free state. Slavery was then prohibited in western territories north of Missouri's south border. -
Abolitionist Movement
Abolitionists were people who are against slavery. One of the first abolitionists before it even became a movement was Benjamin Lay. He was a 4 foot 7 man with a hunchback but began his hatred for slavery in the 1720s. The Abolition Movement inspired a rise up against slavery. -
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was a network of people that assisted escaped slaves to the North. How it worked was people that called "Conductors" would guide slaves to the northern cities through private homes and refugee spots. These places were called stations, depots, and/or safe houses. -
1860 Election
Abraham Lincoln was elected president and with that the southern states states suceeded from the United States. This event was the last straw and started the Civil War. "The 1860 census showed the black population in the United States to be 4,441,830 of which 3,953,760 were slaves and 488,070 were free." (Ferris State University) -
Civil War
The Civil War was fought between the North and South states for many reasons but one reason, in particular, relates to the 13th Amendment. The northern states wanted to abolish slavery while southern states wanted to keep slavery since it benefitted them. -
Emancipation Proclamation
President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in the 3rd year of the Civil War, which continued to tear the United States in half. He stated, "All people held as slaves are, and henceforward shall be free." This angered the Southern states but it also gave hope and inspiration to current slaves and African Americans across the country. -
13th Amendment is Ratified
At the end of the Civil War, the 13th Amendment is passed. This amendment abolished slavery throughout the country. It brought hope to African Americans and would later inspire the 14th and 15th Amendments.