How old are the historical records of slavery in colonial Virginia?
There have been records of slavery since the 1640s
Why were slaves needed in colonial Virginia?
Because of the spread of tobacco planting and higher demand for labor.
What was Bacon's rebellion?
Bacon's rebellion was a rebellion led by Nathaniel Bacon against the governor of Virginia, the rebellion started because the governor prohibited the settlers from taking the Native Americans land. Most of his supporters were poor indentured servants who believed they were exploited by the rulers.
How did slaveowners attempt to find runaway slaves?
They put notices of the slaves physical appearance and skills in the newspaper.
Why did the price of importing African slaves decrease?
Because there were more slave trading companies.
What happened to Nathaniel Bacon and his supporters?
23 of them were hanged. Bacon himself died before the rebellion ended.
How did England restore order to Virginia after Bacons rebellion?
They sent squadrons of soldiers and and warships to Virginia.
Why did Virginia legally close pathways to freedom for people of mixed race?
Because there were too many people of mixed-race who believed that they should be free.
What was the affect of Bacons rebellion on slaves.
After the rebellion was put down the leaders of Virginia, in an effort to prevent this type of rebellion to occur again pushed for a bigger use of slaves instead of indentured servants.
How did authorities prevent the growth of the free black population?
By punishing white women who had children with slaves.
Why did the House of Burgesses make a new slave code in 1705?
Because they recognized the growing importance of slavery and how it could be used.
What did the Virginian law passed in 1662 say about children of mixed race.
It said that determining if the child was free or a slave depended on the mothers race. (e.g if the mother was a slave then the child would be a slave. This led to sexual abuse of slave women.)
How did the Virginian ruling elites improve their public image after the rebellion?
They restored property requirements for voting and adopted a more aggressive policy against the Native Americans. (like taking their land)
Why did slave labor soon replace indentured servitude as the main force of labor?
As the death rate among slaves began to decrease it became smarter financially to have a worker for life.
What did the slave code passed by the House of Burgesses in 1705 say about the rights of slaves?
It says that slaves were considered as property and not human beings, how they could be "bought and sold, leased, fought over in court, and passed on to one's descendants."