Slavery in the British Colonies
The Evolution of the American Character

KEY POINT: Slavery Existed in ALL 13 British colonies!!

VOCABULARY – Social Studies Language:

Middle Passage:

Triangle Slave Trade:

Plantation:

Abolition: 

LEGACY of COLONIAL SLAVERY - TIMELINE

1776-The Declaration of Independence: It introduced equality as a basic democratic principle when it stated that all men were created equal.  But it never addressed the slavery issue.

1789-Constitution is Ratified: According to the Constitution the slave trade could continue until 1808 and five slaves would be counted as three whites when determining representation in Congress. (3/5ths rule) This gave more power to southern whites in Congress.

1793-Invention of the Cotton Gin: As cotton production became easier and more profitable, Southern plantations prospered and became more dependent on slave labor. (Both tobacco and cotton production were labor intensive endeavors.)

1808-Congress Prohibits Slave Trade: This law made the foreign slave trade (importation of slaves) illegal although lack of enforcement by the federal government enabled the trade to continue.

1817-African Colonization Society Formed: Organized by white Virginians to establish a colony of freed slaves in Africa.  The Society succeeded in founding the colony of Liberia on the west coast of Africa which became a Black republic in 1846.