Events that Changed the Legality and Perception of Slavery in the North and South after the Revolutionary War
By willyglopez
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New York Slave Revolt of 1712
Fear was a main factor in many of the laws passed on slavery. Slaves in New York revolted near Broadway in 1712 and set fire to buildings. Though there is no clear evidence of motives it appeared tensions rose after the British took over the colony and placed more stringent restrictions on the lives and rules regarding slaves. The aftermath was a severe backlash against the slaves and even more laws and restrictions were placed upon them. A wave of fear hit local slave owners in the area. -
Stono Rebellion
The Stono Rebellion took place in South Carolina when a slave organized a revolt against his master. The insurrection managed to kill dozens of white colonists and ended when the militia stepped in. Most insurrections resulted in legislation restricting the activities of slaves. Fear and panic spread throughout the colonies especially those with large slave populations like South Carolina. Soon after the Negro Act of 1740 was passed -
Repeal of Ban on Slavery in Georgia
Georgia governor James Oglethorpe received pressure from planters and land owners in his state to allow slavery in Georgia. When he caved in to the pressure and petitioned parliament to allow slavery, Georgia changed drastically. Georgia was now more than a mere buffer zone between Spanish Florida and colonial England. It was now a cash crop colony more similar to its southern neighbors like Virginia and South Carolina. -
Lord Dunmore's Proclamation
Lord Dunmore, strategically offered freedom to slaves who enlisted in the British army. He was the first to have a mass enlistment of slaves into a military force. His actions were a game changer in the revolutionary war. This now showed that slaves were a viable source of military personnel especially when freedom was granted. The patriots would end up adopting similar methods when facing shortages in personnel during the revolutionary war such as the Rhode Island militia. -
Declaration of Independence is Ratified
The enlightenment has hit America in full force. There is now a document stating "All men are created equal," and this message is heard throughout the colonies. The new broad release of radical ideas of personal liberty of all men to those who are oppressed becomes a rallying cry among the patriots. These ideas are naturally at odds with slavery and force people to rethink their ideals on the issue. The only states that don't change soon after are largely dependent on slave labor. -
Vermont Constitution Bans Most types of Slavery
A year after the Declaration of Independence is ratified, Vermont whose economy was not dependent on slave labor, outlaws most types of slavery. It denotes that there can be no slaves past the age of 21 for males and 18 for females within the state. The first article sounds extremely similar to the declaration claiming "all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural inherent unalienable rights". This rendered slavery almost completely unprofitable within the state. -
Battle of Rhode Island "Quaker Hill"
Though the fear of armed negroes from southern states had kept the continental army from recruiting slaves, necessity soon changed that. Infantry shortages in Rhode Island followed the lead of Lord Dunmore and recruiting both black slaves and native American soldiers by offering them freedom. Their first successful victory and proof of their value to the army was in the Battle of Rhode Island when they stormed Quaker Hill. Blacks were now trusted with weapons withing the continental army -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
The Northwest Ordinance passes and prohibits slavery within the territory of modern day Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. This passed with a unanimous vote under the Articles of Confederation. The Northern states were mostly opposed to slavery at this point and the Southern states didn't want competition in their cash crop business. This further demarcated a line between North and South in both economy and culture. Slaves were a serious commodity in a specific area of the nation. -
Haitian Revolution
The large black population in the "Pearl of the Antilles" finally revolted against their French overseers. The colonial government was overthrown and the first nation of freed slaves was created. The news hit the the newly formed United States of America and terrified southern plantation owners as it was now proven that a successful slave revolt was possible. This further emboldened their positions against emancipation of slaves as slaves were becoming more numerous within the southern states. -
Massachusetts Supreme Court Outlaws Slavery
The Brom and Bett v. Ashley interprets that their state's constitution grants freedom to slaves. Their constitution similarly echoes the declaration of independence when it states "All men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential, and unalienable rights." Elizabeth Freeman known as "Bett" was able to file a suit arguing her freedom successfully in the Massachusetts State Supreme Court. This court case clearly defined the interpretation of the constitution to extend to blacks. -
Eli Whitney patents the Cotton Gin
The creation of the cotton gin automated a large portion of the work performed in cotton plantations. Although it reduced expenses in labor, it also made cotton a more profitable crop. This allowed the cotton industry to grow and further itself as an economic model in the south. There was still large portions of labor that were dependent upon slaves in the process and now more money could be made. This attracted more investment in the industry and actually increased demand for slaves. -
Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves enacted under Federal Law
Article 1 Section 9 of the U.S. Constitution prohibited the passing of any legislation restricting slave trade until 1808. President Jefferson encouraged a ban as soon as possible to prevent more injustices from occurring in the inhumane slave trade. There were already plenty self sustaining population of slaves in the South. There was no need for cross Atlantic slave trade in America. This legislation also proves there was a sizeable movement agreeing slavery is immoral in the Federal level.
