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Anthony Johnson Introduction
Click here for more information In 1620, Africans were brought over, but were not called slaves. The reason why is slavery was in a formative slave and not legalized yet.They were called indentured servants. It was a new experience for everyone. Everybody wanted to make their part in the new world. Among them was Antonio Johnson. Later he changed his name to Anthony Johnson. -
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Lives of Anthony Johnson and His Sons
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The No Gun Law
This law made it so only white men were able to own guns. It also implies that African lives are not as valuable as any Englishman's life. On top of that it took away their independence and make it so they either had to steal their food, find their food, or only eat the food they gave them. Another big thing is it took a way one of their few means of protection, making them vulnerable to anyone who was willing to rob them. A primary source document that backs this law up is Act X on page 4. -
Anthony Johnson Owns Land
This is proof that slaves could make their part in the new world just as well as an Englishman could. Also it proves that Africans were just as capable as an Englishmen if they were not being persecuted. Even in suh a hard time in history a man who was being persecuted and whose race were being taken from their homeland. Some proof of this is Court Case A on page 16 which is a primary source, and also Document G by Thomas J. Davis Professor of History at Arizona State University on page 24. -
Anthony Johnson Owns Slaves
Click here to learn more about the court caseThis shows progress, because it shows that any African can do the exact same thing an Englishmen can! It is also an accomplishment that he went to court with an Englishmen over his slave.... and won. Anthony Johnson owned slaves, because it was the social normal at the time, and almost every land owner owned one.One primary source to back this up is Court Case C on page 17, and another source is Document A by T.H. Breen, Stephen Innes, Gary B. Nash, Julie R. Jeffrey, and Tim Hashaw. -
An Act about the Casual Killing of Slaves
This law was the turning point in which slaves started to be considered property. Also the Englishmen have no respect for the slave, and for the Africans this must have thought of as a very inhumane law. Also it kept the Englishmen in control, because who do you think is going to win a court case if he really does murder the slave and not just punish him until he dies? One primary source was October 1669-Act I on page 7. -
An Act of the Punishment of Slaves for the First and Second Offence of Hog Stealing
This law shows how much the Englishmen just were not thinking, because it uses fear to exclude a race from a society. Also this law shows really how greedy the Englishmen were that they would be willing to torture someone because of a hog. This law also makes it hard for slaves to put food on the table so it takes away even more of their independence if they had to depend on their masters to feed them. One primary source document is Act VI on page 12. -
Conclusion
Click here to learn about the amazing life of Anthony JohnsonThis is what happened to Anthony Johnson and the other slaves at the time. This was one of the most horrible stages in America's history and it could repeat itself. So stay informed! One of the big reasons we have history is to learn from our mistakes! This could happen again if we aren't careful.
