Curricular Resources > 1981 Volume cthistory > Unit 3 (81.ch.03) > Section 8

Connecticut History - 1981

CONTENTS OF CURRICULUM UNIT 81.ch.03

Unit Guide

The Struggle for Equality by Connecticut Blacks in the 18th and 19th Centuries

John Roper

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Activity 3 Time Line

EVENTS IN CONNECTICUT BLACK HISTORY

1640	Slavery established in Connecticut.
1690	Beginning of state’s black code. A slave caught out after dark without a pass was returned to his owner who had to pay a fine. This law applied to free blacks also, the only difference being that if they were caught, they had to pay the fine.
1723	Black code expanded. A slave caught out of doors after nine without an order from his master could receive up to ten lashes unless his master agreed to pay a ten shilling fine.
1730	Black code completed. If a slave spoke words for which he could be sued if he were white, he would receive up to forty lashes. He could be sold for costs unless his master paid them. Slaves were allowed to make pleas to court and enter evidence the same as free men.
1774	Indian, Negro, or Mulatto slaves could not be imported into Connecticut. Violators were subject to a $100 fine.
1776	Connecticut slaves were given freedom if they would fight
1783	in the place of their masters during the Revolutionary War. An estimated 300 to 400 fought. An accurate number of how many attained freedom in this manner is not known.
1784	All slaves born after March 1, 1784 would become free upon reaching age 25.
1788	Illegal for Connecticut citizens to engage in foreign slave trade.
1792	Transporting a slave out of Connecticut forbidden.
1797	The age for attaining freedom determined in 1784 was lowered to twenty-one.
1814	Connecticut legislature passed law which excluded blacks from voting.
1818	Connecticut Constitution that allowed only white males to vote.
1831	Attempt to set up black college in New Haven failed. Prudence Crandall opened her school.
1832	Prudence Crandall admitted blacks to her school.
1833	Law was passed making the education of out-of-state blacks illegal in Connecticut. Prudence Crandall was arrested for violating the law.
1834	Connecticut Superior Court, after hearing Crandall’s appeal, found that blacks were not citizens. Supreme Court of Errors dismissed the Crandall case on a technicality.
1839	The Amistad Affair. Blacks kidnapped in Africa and sold illegally in Cuba rose up and took over the ship Amistad that was carrying them to captivity. After a year and one half of trials and appeals, they were allowed to return to Africa.
1848	Slavery abolished in Connecticut.
1866	Federal Civil Rights Act passed.
1868	Fourteenth Amendment passed.
1870	Fifteenth Amendment passed.

QUESTIONS

1. What events were positive steps which furthered black equality?
2. What events limited progress toward black equality?
3. Why is there a movement to end slavery at the end of the 18th century?
4. In the Antebellum period Colonizationist and Abolitionists differed in their thinking concerning black freedom. Colonizationists felt that blacks should be liberated and returned to Africa. Abolitionists felt that blacks should be freed and given complete equality. What events would support Colonizationist viewpoint? What events support the Abolitionists viewpoint?
5. Was legislation passed in the interest of blacks or whites?

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