Virtual Lecture – The Origins of American Slavery

×

Expand

Historic Annapolis

Richard Bell

How and why did slavery begin in North America? It’s an incredibly important question, as America’s embrace of racial slavery as a major labor system is an event which has colored the development of this continent ever since. How were traditional practices of enslavement in Africa and Europe similar to and different from the system of subordination elaborated in the Caribbean and the southern mainland colonies during the 1600s? Why did early experiments there with white indentured servitude fail or fall short? What role did cash crops like sugar, tobacco, and rice play in places like Jamaica, Virginia, and South Carolina? And what was the experience of enslavement and coerced migration like for people forced to make the infamous ‘middle passage’ from Africa to America?  Registration required. Registration closes one half hour prior to lecture.

Advance registration required. Registration closes one half hour prior to lecture.

Cost: FREE

The Historic Annapolis 2025 Virtual Lecture Series is offered free of charge thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor. If you enjoy this program, we hope you will consider becoming a member or making a donation today to support Historic Annapolis and our mission to connect all people with our shared history.

Can’t watch the lecture live? The lecture will be recorded! Please register even if you cannot watch in real time; all attendees will receive a link to the recording of the lecture to watch at their convenience for two weeks. Live closed captioning is available for all lectures.

This lecture will be offered virtually by Zoom. Upon registration, you will be sent the link for the video conference to join on the evening of the lecture. If you do not receive your confirmation email after you register, please check your Spam folder, or email Cara Garside at cara.garside@annapolis.org. To learn more about Zoom and to download the app to your computer, visit the Zoom website.

About Our Presenter: Dr. Richard Bell is Associate Professor of History at the University of Maryland and author of the new book Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home. He has won more than a dozen teaching awards, including the University System of Maryland Board of Regents Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, the highest honor for teaching faculty in the Maryland state system. He has held major research fellowships at Yale, Cambridge, and the Library of Congress and is the recipient of the National Endowment of the Humanities Public Scholar award. He serves as a Trustee of the Maryland Historical Society, as an elected member of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and as a fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

The information contained in the HA Virtual Lecture series represents the historical research, views and opinions of the lecture presenter and may not represent the views or opinions of Historic Annapolis, Inc.

Cancellation and Refund Policy: Historic Annapolis reserves the right to cancel or alter any programs. Unless otherwise stated, all tickets are non-refundable.