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Significant
Documents In Early
American History
THE
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE (1776)
The final version, as accepted by Congress, did not contain
a paragraph written by Thomas Jefferson from which the following
excerpt was taken: "He has waged cruel war against human
nature, violating its most sacred rights of life and liberty
in the persons of a distant people who never offended him,
captivating and carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere,
or to incur miserable death in their transportation.
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INAUGURAL
EDITION OF FREEDOM'S JOURNAL
First African American newspaper in the U.S.A. (1827) was
owned and edited by Samuel Cornish and John B. Russwurm.
THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES (1787)
Contains passages attesting to the conservatism existing in
the U.S., provides for extension of slavery for a 20 year period,
and contains the so called "three-fifths compromise".
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Here)
THE
GERMANTOWN MENNONITE RESOLUTION AGAINST SLAVERY (1688)
Represents the earliest such protest formally voiced in Colonial
America. It was passed 69 years after the introduction of the
first Negro slaves is America.
THE
FUGITIVE SLAVE ACT OF 1850
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Here)
GEORGE
WASHINGTON'S LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT (1799)
The first President frees his slaves. This Will also reflects
concern for the financial welfare and education of his former
slaves. (Click
Here)
THE
LIBERATOR
Most famous abolitionist newspaper in the united states (1831).
Its founder, William Lloyd Garrison, was white.
THE
MISSOURI COMPROMISE (1819-1921).
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THE
NORTH STAR
The Abolitionist organ of Frederick Douglass (1847).
THE
BILL OF RIGHTS (1791)
Intended to protect certain rights of the people. (Click
Here)
THE
COMPROMISE OF 1850
Contained the Fugitive Slave Act.
WHAT
TO THE SLAVES IS THE FOURTH OF JULY?
Frederick Douglass' Independence Day Address (1852). (Click
Here)
THE
KANSAS-NEBRASKA ACT (1854)
Repealed the Missouri Compromise giving the territories the
right to decide if they should be slave or free.
EMANCIPATION
PROCLAMATION (1863). (Click
Here)
THE
FREEDMEN'S BUREAU (1865)
Designed to provide basic health and educational services for
freed men.
LETTER
FROM A BIRMINGHAM JAIL (1963)
This letter with the Birmingham Manifesto heralded Martin Luther
King, Jr.'s legacy to African Americans.
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Here)
RATIFICATION
OF CONSTITUTIONAL ADMENDMENTS
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- THE
THIRTEENTH AMENDMENT (1865)
Abolishes slavery.
- THE
FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT (1868)
Defined U.S. Citizenship.
- THE
FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT (1870)
Established the right to vote.
BOOKER
T. WASHINGTON'S "ATLANTA COMPROMISE" SPEECH (1895)
Controversial Speech. (Click
Here)
THE
UNIVERSAL NEGRO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION SPEECH, N. V. C.
(1922)
By Marcus Garvey, the precursor of present day Negro Nationalist
Movement.
ACT
TO PROHIBIT THE IMPORTATION OF SLAVES (1807).
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THE
CIVIL RIGHTS ACT (1866)
Designed to protect freed men from The Black Codes and other
repressive legislation. (Click
Here)
THE
CIVIL RIGHTS ACTS OF 1957 and 1960
First comprehensive federal civil rights legislation in the
20th Century. (Click
Here)
THE
CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964
Subsequent acts, manifestoes and Executive orders, expanded
legislation and concerns for the rights of all Americans.
(Click
Here)
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