Slavery began in the American colonies in the early 1500s as the Portuguese began bringing African slaves to the Americas. By 1700, slavery had grown significantly in the southern colonies where the economies relied on slave labor for tobacco, rice, indigo and cotton plantations. To control the growing slave population, colonies implemented slave codes that restricted slaves' rights and movements. Some slaves resisted through slow work, escape attempts, or occasional rebellions like the large Stono Rebellion in 1739. By the 1700s, the triangular slave trade had been established between Africa, the Americas, and Europe. Slavery was not officially abolished in the United States until 1865 after the Civil War.

1. SLAVERY
in Colonial America
By Mr. Casey

2. AGENDA
I Vocabulary
I History of Slavery in the Colonies

3. auction
I (noun) a public sale in which something is sold to
the person who offers the most money

4. rebel
I (verb) to resist or fight against authority

5. proponent
I (noun) a person who supports something

6. SLAVERY
1526 - 1765

7. The Beginning
1450 Slavery Begins
Portuguese begin exploring Africa
and trading for goods, including
ten slaves brought back to
Portugal
The Spanish begin enslaving
Native Americans in America,
but soon switch to African
slaves because the Native
Americans will not work or
often escape

8. The Beginning
Early slaves often had the
right to marry, worship, go to
court, and sometimes own
land.
However, things began to
change as the colonies began
to prosper and more slaves
were imported

9. Free Colonies
William Penn and James
Oglethorpe established laws
protecting all men and
outlawing slavery
Unfortunately,
economic pressure and
English slave laws put
an end to equal rights.

10. STOP AND DISCUSS
IWhy do you think the rights
of slaves began to disappear
as the colonies became more
prosperous and more slaves
were imported?

11. Growth of Slavery
I The growth of the rice, indigo,
tobacco and cotton industries
creates a massive need for slaves
(free labor) in the south. By 1700,
the triangular trade routes were
established
By 1700 (250,000 colonists)
1,000 slaves in New England Colonies
4,000 slaves in Middle Colonies
23,000 slaves in Southern Colonies

12. Triangular Trade

13. Slave Resistance &
Rebellions
I Many slaves resisted by working slower, escaping,
and occasionally fighting or killing slave owners
I Although the slave population outnumbered white
colonists, slaves were held down with strict laws
and rules set up by colonial and English laws

14. Slave Codes
In order to maintain control of the large
slave population, slave codes were often
installed in the colonies. They included
laws such as:
1. Restricted Movement/Set Curfews
2.Slaves were allowed to be executed for
certain crimes
3.Made it difficult for them gain freedom
4.Slaves were not allowed to learn a skilled
trade
5.Restricted the number of slaves that could
meet together
6.Could not testify in court
7. Could not strike a white person or escape

15. Slave Resistance &
Rebellions
STONO REBELLION
The largest and most violent slave rebellion
occurred in 1739 in South Carolina. A group of
about 20 slaves kill a few guards, steal a few
weapons and begin marching toward Florida. As
they march south they gather more slaves, burn
houses and kill colonists along the way. Later, a
militia of farmers catches up with the slaves and
kills many of them. The rest are tracked down and
often killed.
According to historian, Herbert Aptheker, there
were more than 250 slave revolts between 1619 and
1835

16. What was it like?

17. The End
1865 Slavery Ends
The end of the Civil War and the
13th amendment officially end
slavery
During the slave trade 30 million Africans are
captured.
10 million die during capture
10 million die during voyage (middle passage)
10 million make it to America and are
enslaved