Slavery and the Making of AmericaDramatic re-enactment of slaves being transported on a boat
Time and Place Slave Memories Resources The Slave Experience

Time and Place return to introduction
1619 1641 1662 1676 1694 1705 1712 1731 1739 1773 1776 1781 1787 1788 1793 1803 1817
1820 1829 1831 1837 1842 1848 1850 1857 1860 1862 1863 1865 1866 1867 1869 1871 1874
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The Law Steps In
1641
Massachusetts is the first colony to legalize slavery.

1643
The New England Confederation of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Haven adopts a fugitive slave law.

1650
Connecticut legalizes slavery.

1652
Rhode Island passes laws restricting slavery and forbidding enslavement for more than 10 years.

1652
Massachusetts requires all black and Indian servants to receive military training.

1654
A Virginia court grants blacks the right to hold slaves.

1657
Virginia passes a fugitive slave law.

1660
Charles II, King of England, orders the Council of Foreign Plantations to devise strategies for converting slaves and servants to Christianity.
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