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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Land of Liberty
1776
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, members of the Continental Congress sign the Declaration of Independence.

1776
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Society of Friends, also known as the Quakers, forbids its members from holding slaves.

1776
Delaware prohibits the importation of African slaves.

1777
Vermont is the first of the thirteen colonies to abolish slavery and enfranchise all adult males.

1777
New York enfranchises all free propertied men regardless of color or prior servitude.

1778
Rhode Island forbids the removal of slaves from the state.

1778
Virginia prohibits the importation of slaves.

1780
Delaware makes it illegal to enslave imported Africans.

1780
Pennsylvania begins gradual emancipation.

1780
A freedom clause in the Massachusetts constitution is interpreted as an abolishment of slavery. Massachusetts enfranchises all men regardless of race.

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