 
The first separate black church in America is founded in South Carolina.
1773
Slaves in Massachusetts unsuccessfully petition the government for their freedom.
1773
Phillis Wheatley becomes the first published African-American poet when a London publishing company releases a collection of her verse.
1774
The First Continental Congress bans trade with Britain and vows to discontinue the slave trade after the 1st of December.
1774
Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Georgia prohibit the importation of slaves.
1774
Virginia takes action against slave importation.
1775
The slave population in the colonies is nearly 500,000. In Virginia, the ratio of free colonists to slaves is nearly 1:1. In South Carolina it is approximately 1:2.
|
 |
1775
Georgia takes action against slave importation.
1775
The first abolition society is founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1775
In April, the first battles of the Revolutionary war are waged between the British and Colonial armies at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. Black Minutemen participate in the fighting.
1775
In July, George Washington announces a ban on the enlistment of free blacks and slaves in the colonial army. By the end of the year, he reverses the ban, ordering the Continental Army to accept the service of free blacks.
1775
In November, Virginia Governor John Murray, Lord Dunmore, issues a proclamation announcing that any slave fighting on the side of the British will be liberated.
|
