Spirtuals Infographic

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1619

1793

1808

1865

From Slavery to civil rights

Spirituals

timeline

First Slave Ship Lands in Jamestown, VA

Congress passed the first fugitive slave act, making it a crime to harbor an escaped slave or to interfere with the arrest of a slave.

Laws pass that ban the African Slave Trade in the US and British Colonies

Juneteenth final slaves were freed in the state of Texas

Slave Songbook: From Slave songs to spirituals

Excerpt from PBS documentary History Dectectives Slave Songbook tracing the development of Negro Spirituals and cultural connections to Africa

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Protestors hold hands and sing on the Mall during the March on Washington, August 28, 1963.

Slavery and Spirituals in Churches

• Slaveholders allowed slaves to attend Christian services, but not for dancing or drum playing. • Slaves held secret meetings for sharing joys, pains, and hopes. • Hymns and psalms were sung during church services, some transformed into African American songs • Spirituals were inspired by Jesus Christ's message and the Bible's Good News, "You can be saved." • Spirituals were a way of sharing the hard condition of being a slave. • Many slaves tried to escape to a "free country" called "my home" or "Sweet Canaan, the Promised Land". Some negro spirituals referenced the Underground Railroad for slave escape.

Influence of African American Music on Freedom Songs during Civil Rights Movement

• Slave spirituals and evolving African American music styles influenced the creation of Freedom Songs. • Zilphia Horton, a union organizer, arranged "We Shall Overcome," a Civil Rights Movement anthem. • Horton and Fannie Lou Hamer revived "This Little Light of Mine," another hymn. • Other songs driving the movement include "Wade in the Water," "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," "Peace Like a River," and "Amazing Grace."