Slavery in the British Colonies

Grace Lewis
7 min read
Listen to this study note
Study Guide Overview
This study guide covers the origins of slavery in the colonies, including the shift from indentured servitude to racialized chattel slavery and the impact of Bacon's Rebellion. It examines the Triangular Trade, the Middle Passage, and its effects. It then compares slavery in the Northern and Southern colonies, highlighting key crops and the influence of the cotton gin. Finally, it explores slave resistance (both overt and covert), slave laws (like the Barbados Code), and offers practice questions and exam tips.
AP US History: Slavery in the Colonies - The Night Before Review
Hey! Let's get you totally prepped for the exam. We're going to break down everything you need to know about slavery in the colonies, making sure you're feeling confident and ready to ace it. Let's dive in!
1. Origins of Slavery in the Colonies
Early Labor Systems
- 1619: The first documented arrival of Africans in Virginia. Initially, many were treated as indentured servants.
Indentured servants (both white Europeans and a small number of Native Americans) were the primary labor force in the early 17th century.
The shift from indentured servitude to chattel slavery was a gradual process, driven by economic and social factors.
The Shift to Racialized Slavery
- Bacon's Rebellion (1676): A turning point. This revolt by poor white farmers created fear among the wealthy elite, who then sought a more controllable labor force.
Remember Bacon's Rebellion as the event that made the wealthy planters say, "We need a new workforce!"
The Middle Passage
- The horrific journey from West Africa to the Americas, lasting about 6 weeks.
About 20% of enslaved Africans died during the Middle Passage due to disease, starvation, or suicide.
Caption: "Stowage of the British slave ship Brookes under the regulated slave trade act of 1788,โ showing the inhumane conditions of the Middle Passage. Even with regulations, the conditions were horrific.
2. The Triangular Trade
- A system of trade connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Think of the Triangular Trade as a three-way exchange: Europe provides goods, Africa provides slaves, and the Americas provide raw materials.
The Trade Routes
- Europe to Africa: Manufactured goods (textiles, weapons, alcohol) were traded for enslaved people.
- Africa to the Americas: The Middle Passage, transporting enslaved people to the Americas.
- Americas to Europe: Raw materials (sugar, tobacco, coffee, cotton) were sent back to Europe.
Impact of the Triangular Trade
- Fueled the growth of slavery in the Americas and enriched European nations.
- Devastated African societies, leading to the loss of millions of people. ๐
3. Slavery in the Northern Colonies
- Slavery was legal but less prevalent than in the South due to smaller farms and limited soil.
New England's slave population was about 3%, but it was much higher in port cities like Boston (up to 25%).
4. Slavery in the Southern Colonies
- Large agricultural plantations and cash crop economies led to a high demand for enslaved labor.
Key crops: tobacco (Chesapeake), rice and indigo (South), and later, cotton (Deep South).
The invention of the cotton gin in 1793 by Eli Whitney solidified the South's dependence on slavery.
5. Slaves' Resistance to Slavery
Overt Resistance
- Murdering owners, destroying property, escaping, and suicide.
Maroon communities formed in swamps and mountains, often raiding plantations.
Most revolts resulted in mass executions of enslaved people.
Covert Resistance
- Sabotage (slowing down work, damaging equipment).
- Using skills and knowledge to their advantage (e.g., medicinal plants).
- Maintaining culture and religion (music, dance, and the Baptist Church during the Great Awakening).
Cultural Resistance
- Development of African-American culture: religion, food, music, dance, and family.
Remember that slaves developed their own culture as a form of resistance and identity.
6. Slave Laws
- Barbados Code (1661): Established that slaves were chattel (property) with no basic rights.
This code allowed white owners to kill slaves without legal consequences.
Be sure to understand the legal framework that supported and maintained the institution of slavery.
Religious Justifications
- Some argued that slavery was divinely sanctioned and a means to Christianize Africans.
Do not confuse religious justifications with the actual economic and social reasons for slavery.
Final Exam Focus
- High-Priority Topics:
- The transition from indentured servitude to chattel slavery.
- The impact of Bacon's Rebellion.
- The Triangular Trade and its consequences.
- Regional differences in slavery (North vs. South).
- Forms of resistance to slavery (overt and covert).
- The legal framework of slavery (Barbados Code).
- Common Question Types:
- Multiple-choice questions on the causes and effects of slavery.
- Short-answer questions on regional differences and forms of resistance.
- Free-response questions on the development of slavery and its impact on American society.
- Last-Minute Tips:
- Manage your time wisely. Don't spend too long on any one question.
- Read each question carefully and underline key terms.
- Use your knowledge of historical context to support your answers.
- Don't panic! You've got this. ๐ช
Practice Questions
Practice Question
Multiple Choice Questions
-
Which of the following best describes the primary cause of the shift from indentured servitude to chattel slavery in the late 17th century? (A) The decreasing number of European immigrants (B) The growing demand for labor on tobacco plantations (C) The fear of rebellion among poor white laborers (D) The influence of religious leaders advocating for slavery
-
The Triangular Trade system directly fostered the growth of which industry in the Americas? (A) Textile manufacturing (B) Shipbuilding (C) Plantation agriculture (D) Iron production
-
Which of the following was a common form of covert resistance employed by enslaved people? (A) Direct armed rebellion (B) Openly protesting against slave owners (C) Intentionally slowing down work or damaging equipment (D) Forming political organizations to advocate for abolition
Short Answer Question
- Briefly explain TWO ways in which enslaved people resisted the institution of slavery. Provide specific examples to support your answer.
Free Response Question
Analyze the ways in which the institution of slavery developed and changed in the British North American colonies from 1619 to 1750. In your response, be sure to address the following:
- The initial labor systems in the colonies and their limitations.
- The factors that led to the shift towards chattel slavery.
- The regional differences in the development of slavery.
Scoring Breakdown for FRQ:
- Thesis (1 point): Presents a clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the prompt.
- Argument Development (2 points): Provides evidence to support the thesis, explaining the initial labor systems and their limitations.
- Analysis (2 points): Analyzes the factors that led to the shift towards chattel slavery, including economic and social factors.
- Contextualization (1 point): Connects the development of slavery to broader historical contexts, such as the Triangular Trade or the growth of plantation economies.
- Synthesis (1 point): Demonstrates an understanding of the regional differences in the development of slavery and connects to another historical period or theme.
Alright, you've got this! Go get that 5! ๐

How are we doing?
Give us your feedback and let us know how we can improve
Question 1 of 14
In what year were the first Africans documented to have arrived in Virginia? ๐ข
1607
1619
1640
1676