Page 1Page 2Page 3A Chronology of the History of Slavery, Antislavery, and Emancipation (adapted by NewtonKey, Eastern Illinois University, from Sue Peabody and Keila Grinberg, Slavery, Freedom, andthe Law in the Atlantic World, Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007; and The Interesting Narrativeof the Life of Oloudah Equiano, ed. Robert J. Allison, 2 ed., Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007)nd1340 (1340s) The Portuguese begin direct slave raids and trading in the Canary Islands.1441 Explorers return to Portugal from Senegal with the first African slaves imported viathe Atlantic, rather than the Saharan, trade.1502 The first enslaved Africans arrive in Spanish America.1538 The first ship of African slaves arrives in Brazil.1564 England enters the slave trade.1619 Enslaved Africans arrive in the English settlement of Jamestown, Virginia.1625 England settles Barbados.1635 France establishes the colonies of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Caribbean, mainly toproduce tobacco.1654 The Portuguese expel the Dutch and the Jews from Brazil; the refugees bringtechnological expertise and slaves to French, Dutch, and English settlements in theCaribbean.1688 Early Quakers protest the slave trade in Pennsylvania.1695 Palmares, the largest maroon community in Brazil, is destroyed after one hundred yearsof war.1713 The British win the Spanish asiento (exclusive transatlantic slavetrading contract)from France.1734 Portuguese royal law first mentions liberty as a reward for good services provided byslaves.1739 Jamaica's First Maroon War (1700-1739) concludes with a treaty between the British andthe maroons.1755 "Gustavus Vassa" listed in muster book of British warship Roebuck.1756 Equiano enters British navy (serves 1756-62)1757 According to Equiano's recollection, this year he arrived in England.1759 Olaudah Equiano baptized at St. Margaret's Church, London. 1761 (1761-70) 63,500 Africans transported to the New World each year.1761 Royal proclamation frees all slaves who arrive in Portugal.1763 (1763-66) Equiano working for Robert King in Montserrat, Equiano trades between WestIndies and mainland American colonies.1765 In Savannah, Equiano hears evangelist George Whitefield preach.1766 July 11: Equiano buys his freedom.1767 Equiano shipwrecked in 'Bahamas. On last visit to Savannah, buries black child. Sails forLondon.1768 Equiano sails to the Mediterranean. St Patrick's Day slave uprising on Montserrat.1771 (1771-80) 58,000 Africans transported to the New World each year.1772 Judge Mansfield rules in London that the slave James Somerset cannot becompelled by his master to return to the colonies. This, decision is widelyinterpreted as abolishing slavery in England.1773 Equiano on expedition to Arctic. Massachusetts slaves petition legislature foremancipation.1774 John Annis kidnapped by his former master and taken to the West Indies, where he istortured to death. Equiano sails for Spain, has vision of Christ on October 6. MethodistJohn Wesley writes Thoughts upon Slavery.1775 Equiano admitted to communion in Westminster Church. Equiano voyages to MosquitoCoast (Nicaragua) with Dr. Irving to establish a plantation.1776 June: Equiano leaves Nicaragua for London.1776 American Declaration of Independence declares that "all men are created equal."1777 The republic of Vermont declares independence from England. Its constitution outlawsslavery and allows all adult males to vote.1778 In Knight v. Wedderburn, the Scottish high court rules that enslavement is incompatiblewith national law.1779 Equiano meets British abolitionist Granville Sharp.1780 Pennsylvania passes a gradual emancipation law, freeing children born to slave parents,though they owe service until the age of twenty-eight.1781 (1781-1790) 88,800 Africans transported to the New World each year.1781 Zong massacre: Captain orders 132 slaves drowned so ship owners can collect oninsurance.1783 Upon the captain's return to England, Zong case is heard as an insurance dispute,not a murder trial, causing public outrage. Equiano tells abolitionist GranvilleSharp of Zong massacre. American Quakers call on Congress to end slavery andhonor its commitment to "universal liberty." 1784 Equiano sails for New York. Rev. James Ramsay publishes Essay on the Treatment andConversion of African Slaves in the Sugar Colonies. Methodists declare slavery contraryto God's law, give members twelve months to free slaves. Pennsylvania Society forPromoting Abolition of Slavery formed. Connecticut and Rhode Island pass gradualemancipation laws.1785 Equiano in Philadelphia. New York Society for Promoting Manumission of Slavesformed. Methodists petition Virginia legislature for emancipation. James Tobin's CursoryRemarks attacks abolitionists, defends slavery.1786 Committee for Relief of the Black Poor appoints Equiano commissary to SierraLeone expedition. Thomas Clarkson publishes Essay on the Slavery and Commerce ofthe Human Species.1787 Equiano dismissed from Sierra Leone expedition after he publicizes mismanagement.With the Africans in London, Equiano organizes Sons of Africa. Ottobah Cugoano writesantislavery Thoughts and Sentiments on the Evil of Slavery. Committee for the Abolitionof the Slave Trade formed in England. U.S. Congress bans slavery north of the OhioRiver after 1800. New U.S. Constitution does not mention slavery, allows slaveholdersmore representation in Congress, requires the return of fugitive slaves, and forbidsCongress to end the slave trade before 18071788 Abolitionists circulate public petitions, signed by thousands of citizens, urging the end ofthe slave trade in England.1789 Black abolitionist Olaudah Equiano publishes his book, The Interesting Narrative ofthe Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, in England.1789 The French National Assembly issues the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen;the French Revolution begins.1790 William Wilberforce presents the first bill to abolish the slave trade to the BritishHouse of Commons, but it does not pass.1791 A slave revolt breaks out on the northern plains of the French Caribbean colony ofSaint Domingue; the Haitian Revolution begins.1792 April 7 Equiano marries Susanna Cullen of Ely, Cambridgeshire. London Oracle chargesthat Equiano actually born in West Indies.1793 Anna Maria Vassa born; French republican commissioners abolish slavery in SaintDomingue.1794 Ninth English edition of Narrative appears; The French revolutionary governmentabolishes slavery throughout the French empire.1795