Slavery in America Timeline
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Atlantic Slave Trade Teacher Guide
Lesson Plans by Matt Campbell
Understanding the institution of slavery is essential in the study of American history, as it played a major role in America’s economy, society, and political systems. From the first colony of Jamestown to the ratification of the 13th Amendment, America’s dependence on slave labor remains a contentious topic and has left a permanent scar on America’s past.
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Storyboard Description
The Slave Trade TImeline
Storyboard Text
- FIRST SLAVES ARRIVE IN AMERICA
- Slavery in America Timeline
- MASSACHUSETTS LEGALIZES SLAVERY
- In 1619, a ship arrived in Jamestown, Virginia with twenty slaves on board. This would mark the beginning of the long and painful story of slavery in America.
- In 1641, Massachusetts became the first colony to officially legalize slavery. Interestingly enough, Massachusetts would later become a major advocate for abolition.
- THE FUGITIVE SLAVE ACT
- THE COTTON GIN IS INVENTED
- On February 12, 1793, the newly founded United States Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act. This law gave slave owners the legal right to have their slave returned to them if they were to escape.
- UNCLE TOM'S CABIN IS PUBLISHED
- Henrique struck him across the face with his riding-whip, and, seizing one of his arms, forced him on to his knees, and beat him till he was out of breath.
- In 1794, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. The cotton gin was a mechanism that quickly removed the seeds from the fibers of cotton. The cotton gin allowed cotton to be produced faster and cheaper, which resulted in a massive demand for slave labor.
- KANSAS-NEBRASKA ACT
- In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe published Uncle Tom's Cabin. This book quickly entered the national spotlight as it described the horrific realities of slavery. This book was seen as a major catalyst for the abolition movement in America.
- In 1854, Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Under this law created by Stephen A. Douglas, newly admitted states would use popular sovereignty to determine if the state would have slavery. This lead to a violent clash in Kansas, and is seen as a major cause of the Civil War.
- CIVIL WAR BEGINS
- In 1861, the issue of slavery became much more than an issue in Kansas, and it erupted into a four-year-long war between the Northern and Southern states. Over 600,000 deaths would occur before the North finally won the Civil War.
- 13TH AMENDMENT RATIFIED
- In 1865, Congress ratified the 13th Amendment, which outlawed slavery. This marked the end of the infamous history of slavery in America, and began the long road towards civil rights.
Image Attributions
- Image taken from page 82 of 'Building the Nation. Events in the history of the United States, from the Revolution to the beginning of the War between the States ... Illustrated' - The British Library - (License No known copyright restrictions )
- Joint Resolution Proposing the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, 01/31/1865 - 01/31/1865 - The U.S. National Archives - (License No known copyright restrictions )
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