It all started in the 17th century. Slavery began in America after African slaves were brought to the Jamestown colony in 1619, to help produce tobacco. Later with cotton in 1739, when the cotton gin was invented, it was demanded in Europe. So in the South, the use of slaves was needed which became their foundation. With the use of slavery, it would build economic foundations for new nations. European settlers saw African slaves cheaper and more reliable labor source than indentured servants. Once slaves were brought to America from Africa, slavery spread throughout the colonies. Before slavery was introduced to America, there was a similar practice related; indentured servitude. Which basically was a person under a contract working for someone
…show more content…
In 1662, Virginia considered slavery as hereditary, meaning that they were slaves for life. As laws were being introduced restricting activities of Africans, arranging slavery as a race-based system. They no longer had the same rights. This was a significant change in their legal status. Towards the end of the seventeenth century, blacks replaced white indentured servants In South Carolina, they passed a slave code in 1696; Act of the Better Ordering and Governing of Negroes and Slaves. It gave penalized blacks for any offenses and excused any whites who caused the death of a slave during their punishment. In Virginia, the slave codes of 1705 stated that all African Americans, Native Americans, and non-christians brought into the colonies are considered a slave. Even free blacks were limited. During 1717, a Connecticut law required all black business owners to get a permit. Then in 1721, it was only free white man that was allowed to start a business. Once it came to the Revolutionary War, African Americans had a chance to fight for their independence. It also inspired the formation of antislavery groups, where members argued that slavery was against Christianity. Towards the end of the 1700s, most northern states abolished slavery by freeing all slaves after a certain amount of years served or after a certain
In 1662, Virginia considered slavery as hereditary, meaning that they were slaves for life. As laws were being introduced restricting activities of Africans, arranging slavery as a race-based system. They no longer had the same rights. This was a significant change in their legal status. Towards the end of the seventeenth century, blacks replaced white indentured servants In South Carolina, they passed a slave code in 1696; Act of the Better Ordering and Governing of Negroes and Slaves. It gave penalized blacks for any offenses and excused any whites who caused the death of a slave during their punishment. In Virginia, the slave codes of 1705 stated that all African Americans, Native Americans, and non-christians brought into the colonies are considered a slave. Even free blacks were limited. During 1717, a Connecticut law required all black business owners to get a permit. Then in 1721, it was only free white man that was allowed to start a business. Once it came to the Revolutionary War, African Americans had a chance to fight for their independence. It also inspired the formation of antislavery groups, where members argued that slavery was against Christianity. Towards the end of the 1700s, most northern states abolished slavery by freeing all slaves after a certain amount of years served or after a certain