Bronte Joyce History 1700 Jessy Feveryear 10 March 2014 In 1619, the first African slaves were brought

to the North American colony of Jamestown, Virginia to help the production of crops. Slavery worked its way through the 17th and 18th centuries, and African American slaves helped build the economic foundations of the new nation. In 1793, the cotton gin was invented and that solidified the importance of slavery in the south. Slavery in the north was never widespread and between 1774 and 1804 all northern states banned slavery. Learning how African Americans survived slavery in America has influenced me in many ways. I have learned the hardships that they have been through to ban slavery and make African Americans free. I am very grateful for the suffering they went through in order for me to become free. Nat Turner and Harriett Tubman influenced me the most throughout slavery. In 1831 Nat Turner, black preacher who led an uprising in Southampton County, Virginia, did what he thought was right. He stood up for what he believed in and started the first and most significant slave uprising in American history. Even though his visions and reasoning were a bit crazy and it did not stop slavery, it is an important event in helping African Americans become free and equal. This influences me to do what I feel is right, to stand up for what I believe in and to never let anyone tell me I cannot do something because I am a different color. Racism is a still an issue in America, and no one should feel like they are different, or less than anyone else. Harriet Tubman, an escaped slave who repeatedly returned to the South and eventually escorted to freedom more than 200 slaves. In 1849 she became one of the most effective and celebrated leaders of the Underground Railroad. To me, she is a symbol of bravery, she put herself in danger to help everyone else around her, including her elderly parents and throughout her 19 trips back and forth, she never lost a single passenger. She was determined to save as many black slaves as she could,

and she greatly succeeded. She also influences me to do what I believe in and to help others as much as I can, even if I am in danger. There is no better gratitude than helping someone in need, and achieving a goal. Although Harriet and Nats plans didnt stop slavery all together, it helped them become closer to freedom. In 1865, the 13th Amendment officially abolished slavery, but their status remained uncertain and they were going to face more hardships during the Reconstruction period. Then in the 14th Amendment gave slaves the rights of citizenship and the equal protection and the right to vote in the 15th Amendment. Ultimately, the Reconstruction was hard on slaves and the rise of racist organizations triumphed in the South by 1877. In the 1960s lingering racism and discrimination lead to the civil rights movement, this would achieve the greatest political and social gains for blacks since the Reconstruction. I am influenced by all the strength and bravery every single African American had, they had no other choice than to be those things. If it werent for all of the courageous Blacks, I would not be here today, or be who I am today. I am grateful for all of the African American heroes who did all that they could, and lives that were taken to make me free and live an equal life. Even though racism is still lingering around today, that is peoples point of view and I should not let them effect the way I live my life or let others dictate my life.