US History Test Unit 2: Slavery

Olaudah Equiano

(1745-1797) African who was kidnapped and sold into slavery and bought his way out. He served in the Seven Years' War. He is significant because he wrote a book about his experiences which helped to inspire the abolition of slavery.

Triangular Trade

A three way system of trade during 1600-1800s Africa sent slaves to America, America sent Raw Materials to Europe, and Europe sent Guns and Rum to Africa. It was significant because it caused trade to happen between multiple countries with each benifiting in its own way.

Middle Passage

A voyage that brought enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to North America and the West Indies from the 1500's - 1800's. It was important because it tied together trade between most countires whether it be slaves, clothing, crops etc.

Lord Dunmore's Proclamation

An offer by the British governor and military commander in Virginia, in 1775, for freedom to any slave who escaped to his lines and bore arms for the king. It was significant it because it caused many slaves to fight alongside the British during the American revolution war.

Indentured Servants

Colonists who received free passage to North America in exchange for working without pay for a certain number of years. Servitude reached its peak in the 17th century and is imporatnt becuase the free passage made many people move to America with their families.

Slave Codes

Early 18th century laws that limited the rights of Blacks, gave almost absolute authority to white masters. They were significant because they set in stone that color was the only factor in determining if someone was subject to certain things.

Black Codes

Laws denying most legal rights to former slaves; passed by southern states following the Civil War; they were significant because they created to limit freedom and keep former slaves as a cheap labor source.

Nat Turner

Leader of a slave rebellion in 1831 in Virginia, which was significant because it led to the "gag rule" outlawing any discussion of slavery in the House of Representatives

cotton

Number 1 Cash Crop in the South in the 1800's. It was significant because it increased the demand for slaves in the South, turned the Upper South into manufacturing cities, and secured trade with other countries after the end of the slave trade.

slave trade

The business of capturing, transporting, and selling people as slaves from the 16th-19th century. It was significant because without it a lot less slaves would have been brought to the New world and it wouldn't have develped into the society we know today.

tobacoo

The main cash crop in America during the 17th century, that saved the American economy because of its high demand in Europe. Had a lot to do with the start of the slave trade since the demand for labor became high since the death rate was high.

Solomon Northup

a free African-American, in the 1800's, who was offered a job as a violinist but was instead robbed of his papers and sold into slavery for 12 years until he proved he was a free man. This is significant because it is the implication of the slave codes on a person. It is also significant because his seller knows he is free and is only doing it for money and doesn't care about Solomon because of the color of his skin.

Fugitive Slave Act

a law, in 1850, that made it a crime to help runaway slaves; allowed for the arrest of escaped slaves in areas where slavery was illegal and required their return to slaveholders. This was significant because salves that had escaped and made a life for themselves were being tracked down and taken from their families.

Underground Railroad

a system of secret routes used by escaping slaves to reach freedom in the North or in Canada during the 1800's. It was significant because it was a way slaves resisted to the terms of society and it also helps thousands of slaves escape.

Mercantilism

an economic system, in Europe during the 18th Century, put in place to increase a nation's wealth by government regulation of all of the nation's commercial interests. It was significant because it powered the evolution of nation-states out of the ashes of feudalism.

3/5ths clause

the clause, in 1787, that stated that slaves counted as 3/5 of a person when speaking of state population. This was significant because it was an agreement to count three-fifths of a state's slaves as population for purposes of representation and taxation.

Anthony Johnson

was the first prominent black landholder in the English colonies. He arrived in Virginia in 1621. It is uncertain if Johnson arrived as an indentured servant or as a slave. He is significant because he was the first prominent black landholder in America.

Planter Class

whites that owned at least 20 to 50 slaves and 800 or more acres during the early years of America. They were significant because they had a lot of power and influence over the political, economic, and social status of the region