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Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: Slaves and the Courts

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore primary source documents of court cases that were influential in the slavery debate from 1740-1860. Read first-hand analysis of cases that changed the course of American History such as the Dred Scott Case, John Brown and much more.
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Primary
Other

Virtual Jamestown: The Practice of Slavery: Selected Virginia Records

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides the original text from colonial Virginia concerning council and court records on slave issues such as the laws concerning runaways, their punishments, deeds of ownership for specific slaves, etc.
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Primary
Other

Virtual Jamestown: Laws on Slavery

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides the original text of Virginia colonial laws concerning different aspects of slavery for Africans, Native Americans, and indentured servants.
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Article
PBS

Africans in America: Virginia's Slave Codes (1705)

For Students 9th - 10th
This website describes contents of the Virginia Slave Codes of 1705 with excerpts from the orginal law.
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Article
PBS

Africans in America: Colonial Laws

For Students 9th - 10th
Read some excerpts from original colonial laws concerning slaves.
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Article
PBS

Africans in America: Virginia Recognizes Slavery

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is a general description of the gradual change from using indentured servants to recognizing Africans as slaves and the laws reflecting this change.
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Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: African Americans in the British New World: Slave Codes

For Students 5th - 8th
Resistance and even rebellion of slaves resulted in colonies enacting laws regarding the actions of slaves. Read about some of the slave codes and what they prohibited.