Slavery started way before the 1600's. All slaves in North America were African and slave trade made many countries throughout the world wealthy. Many farmers bought slaves so that they could use them to do their labor on the farms and others used them as servants and maids. The first slaves in America where brought to America in 1619 and they would have to have a master for seven years before they were free. However farmers and colonist needed slaves for labor so they started to buy them for life.  Once a owner bought a slave he was able to punish a slave in any way. Slaves would have to do hard labor thier whole life. It wasn't until 1865  when slavery was abolished. The 13th amendment to the constitution outlawed all slavery in the United States.

Information:

Africanonline, (n.d.). slavery timeline . Retrieved Oct. 25, 2005, from http://www.africanaonline.com/slavery_timeline.htm.

Picture:

Cimilyan, M. (2003). Slavery . Retrieved Oct. 25, 2005, from http://www.michaelcgibson.com/slavery.html.