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Virginia Slave Laws

Introduction

In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the colony of Virginia experienced a drastic population shift. In 1685 there were 2,600 documented African Americans in Virginia. By 1775, the number of slaves had increased to 186,400, or approximately 40 percent of the population of the colony. In this lesson, students will examine a selection of slave statutes, or laws, that were enacted in Virginia to control the growing slave population.

Materials

Strategy

1. Display an overhead transparency of the Estimated Population of Virginia, 1685–1790 chart. Ask students the following questions:
  • What explanation can you give for the rapid growth of the African American population in Virginia?
  • Notice the difference in the growth of the African American and white populations between 1740 and 1760. What issues and/or concerns may have developed as a result of the African American population growing so much faster than the white population? [NOTE: If students require additional prompting, ask them, "With most of the African Americans being slaves, what might be the major concern of white slave owners? Food? Shelter? Uprising?"]

As a result of this discussion, students should be aware that slave laws were enacted to maintain control of the growing number of African American slaves, to prevent runaways or uprisings.

2. Using the instructions and primary sources in the Slavery Jigsaw Activity—Teacher Information, have students become experts on an assigned topic related to seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Virginia slave laws. Then, provide time for each student group to share its findings with the class. [Note: To help students with some of the vocabulary in the jigsaw activity handouts, please refer to Statutes of Slavery—Related Vocabulary.]

3. After students have shared their information in small groups, conduct a whole-class discussion about their thoughts regarding colonial Virginia slave laws. As a springboard for further investigation, prompt students with the following questions:

  • If you were a slave owner in the 1700s, what would you do to change the laws,
  • if you were inclined to do so?
  • If you were a slave owner in the 1700s, what would happen if you allowed your slaves privileges the law did not permit?
  • If you were a slave in the 1700s, what would be most important to you to survive the harsh laws and punishments?
  • If slavery was not an option in the colonial period, predict the outcome of the development of the American colonies.

Lesson Extension

Conduct a class discussion on manumission, or how a slave could be set free in the eighteenth century. [NOTE: Refer to the February 2005 Teacher Gazette.] article on the post-1723 manumission process.

This lesson was written by Terry Collins, district coordinator, Sulphur, Louisiana, and Misty Belyeu, elementary school teacher, Auburn, Alabama.


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