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Arrival of African Slaves in English North American Colonies
The first African slaves arrived in the English North American colonies in 1619 in Jamestown, Virginia. These slaves were brought by Dutch traders and sold to the colonist. Slavery became more widespread in the colonies in the following decades, as the demand for labor grew. Slaves were used primarily in agriculture, but they also worked in other industries such as mining and shipbuilding. -
Ratification of the Constitution
The ratification of the Constitution in 1788 had a significant impact on slaves in the United States. The Constitution contained several provisions that protected the institution of slavery, such as the Three-Fifths Compromise. This meant that slaves were not considered full citizens and did not have the same rights and protections as white Americans. Additionally, the Constitution also included provisions that allowed slave owners to recover runaway slaves. -
The Market Revolution
The market revolution of 1790 was a time of significant economic growth and change in America. It was characterized by the development of new transportation and communication technologies, the growth of factory production, and the emergence of a new consumer culture. This had a significant impact on slavery in America. The expansion of the cotton industry and the demand for cotton led to an increase in the number of slaves in the South. -
Invention of the Cotton Gin
The cotton gin was invented by Eli Whitney in 1793. It was a machine that separated the seeds from the cotton fibers, making it much easier and faster to process. The invention led to a significant increase in cotton production and a corresponding increase in the demand for slave labor in the South. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was a land deal between the United States and France in 1803, in which the U.S. acquired approximately 827,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River for $15 million. The acquisition of this territory significantly expanded the size of the United States and provided new opportunities for westward expansion. However, the Louisiana Purchase also led to an increase in the number of slave states in the U.S. as new territories were opened up for settlement. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise was a law passed by Congress in 1820 that allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state and Maine to enter as a free state. It also established a line at 36°30' north latitude, north of which slavery would be prohibited in all new states formed out of the Louisiana Territory. It helped to temporarily ease tensions between the North and South over the issue of slavery, but it failed to resolve the underlying issue and contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War. -
The Rise of the American Abolitionist Movement
The American abolitionist movement emerged in the early 19th century and sought to end slavery in the United States. The movement gained momentum in the decades leading up to the Civil War and helped to shift the national conversation on slavery. While ultimately successful, it also contributed to the growing tensions between the North and South. -
Nat Turner’s Rebellion
Nat Turner's Rebellion was a slave rebellion that took place in Southampton County, Virginia in 1831. Nat Turner, a slave preacher, led a group of slaves in a violent uprising that resulted in the deaths of around 60 white people. The rebellion was quickly suppressed, and Turner was captured and executed. The rebellion had a significant impact on the debate over slavery in the U.S., leading to increased tensions between the North and South. -
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Nullification Crisis
The Nullification Crisis was a political conflict between the federal government and South Carolina over a federal tariff. It highlighted growing tensions between the federal government and states over issues of states' rights and contributed to the sense of sectionalism that would eventually lead to the Civil War. -
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The Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was a proposal in 1846 to ban slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico as a result of the Mexican-American war. The proposal was never passed, but it reignited debates over the issue of slavery and contributed to the growing sectionalism between the North and South. The proposal highlighted the deep divisions over the issue of slavery and helped to set the stage for the Civil War. -
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Mexican-American War
The Mexican-American War was a conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 over territorial disputed. The war ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which gave the U.S. control of new territories and reignited debates over slavery. The conflict contributed to the growing sectionalism that would eventually lead to the Civil War.