Library of Congress
Slavery in America
The tragedy of slavery in America is an undeniably influential part of American history. These sites provide all the historic details, as well as a better understanding of how this practice affected (and continues to affect) the social and political fabric of the country.
Expand All Guide SectionsOverview of Slavery in America
Learn about the African slave trade and the instiution of slavery in America from the early 17th ... read more »
First-Person Accounts of Slavery
This section features slaves narratives in the form of written accounts, autobiographies and ... read more »
Primary Source Material for Slavery
This section links to primary source collection containing letters, pamphlets, newspaper articles, slaveholder records and other types of documents.
Top Sites for Primary Sources on Slavery
The Brown University Steering Committee on Slavery and Justice
has scanned more than 150 documents, including broadsides, letters and sales records. Each document is accompanied by an introduction explaining its significance.
The Library of Congress’
“Slaves and the Courts” contains decisions, arguments, witness testimonies and other court documents from cases regarding slaves and the legality of the slave trade.
The Wisconsin Historical Society
has scanned every issue of Freedom’s Journal, the first newspaper to be owned and operated by African-Americans. The paper published 103 issues between March 1827 and March 1829.
The Library of Congress’
“From Slavery to Freedom: The African-American Pamphlet Collection” features pamphlets regarding slavery written by African-American authors between 1822 and 1909.
The University of Virginia
has a collection of over 4,000 advertisements for runaway slaves published in Virginia and Maryland newspapers between 1736 and 1803. It also provides assorted government records, slaveholder records and newspaper materials.
Cornell University’s Samuel J. May Anti-Slavery Collection
features abolitionist and anti-slavery pamphlets, newspaper articles, speeches and other material.
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