Cumberland Mountains

Category: Residence

During your long walk through the mountains Liza asks you how black people became slaves. Research this question and give Liza a educated answer.


The first slaves to be imported to North America were brought to the colony of Virginia in 1619. These slaves were free men that were kidnapped from their homes in Africa by slave traders. At first these slaves were made into indentured servants which meant they had to work for about 7 years for their master before they were free. But later laws were passed that made black servants slaves for life.
More and more slaves were imported from Africa, almost 50,000, until 1807 when the British slave trade ended. But slavery still didn't end in the colonies and black people still didn't have any freedom or rights.