April 10th -Development of Slave Laws in Colonial Virginia

These flashcards cover key concepts regarding the development of slave laws and societal structures in colonial Virginia.

What was the significance of Virginia's early slave codes?

They imposed taxes on slave labor and created a differential in tax burdens between free black households and free white households.

What legal innovation occurred in 1662 regarding the status of children born to enslaved mothers?

Children born to enslaved women would also be enslaved, determining their freedom based on their mother's status.

What was the outcome of the 1660 law regarding baptism and slavery?

Baptism did not affect the condition of bondage or freedom, maintaining enslaved status regardless of religious conversion.

What concept did professor Rebecca Getz coin related to the slave status?

Hereditary hedonism, suggesting freedom status could be inherited, regardless of the individual's beliefs.

What demographic shift occurred in Virginia by 1705?

By 1705, there were about 4,000 indentured servants and about 20,000 enslaved Africans, making up 40% of the labor force.

How did the law in 1705 define non-Christian servants?

All servants imported who were not Christians in their native country would be considered slaves.

What was the implication of enslaved people being considered 'real estate'?

Enslaved individuals were treated as property that could be inherited just like immovable property.

What was the legal distinction between the treatment of indentured servants and enslaved people?

Masters could inflict severe punishment on enslaved individuals, including causing death without legal consequences, unlike indentured servants.

What was the Body of Liberties in Massachusetts related to slavery?

It declared bond slavery permissible for lawful captives taken in just wars, and specified that enslaved individuals could be taken as a merciful alternative to death.

What role did meeting houses play in early colonial society?

Meeting houses served as multi-purpose public gathering spaces for religious and government meetings.

How did English Protestant beliefs influence the perception of religious responsibility?

They emphasized individual responsibility for personal beliefs and salvation, paralleling ideas of consent in contract.