1. Growth of the Transatlantic Slave Trade: This period witnessed a significant expansion of the transatlantic slave trade, especially in the British colonies in North America and the Caribbean. Increased demand for labor in plantations, sugar cane fields, and other agricultural industries fueled this growth, leading to the forced transportation of millions of Africans across the Atlantic.
2. Resistance and Rebellions: During the mid-1700s, enslaved individuals continued to resist their conditions through various forms of protest, including individual acts of defiance, sabotage, and larger-scale rebellions. Notable slave rebellions include the Stono Rebellion in South Carolina (1739), the New York Conspiracy of 1741, and the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804), which ultimately resulted in the establishment of the independent nation of Haiti.
3. Legal Developments: In the British colonies, the mid-1700s saw the emergence of important legal cases that challenged the institution of slavery. One significant case was Somerset v. Stewart (1772), in which the British courts ruled that slavery was not recognized by English common law and individuals could not be held in bondage on English soil. This ruling had implications for the legal status of slaves in the British colonies.
4. Gradual Abolition Movements: While the complete abolition of slavery remained a distant goal, some gradual abolition movements emerged during the mid-1700s. Some religious groups and individuals began to advocate for the gradual emancipation of slaves and the improvement of their conditions.
5. Codification of Slave Codes: In many regions, the mid-1700s also witnessed the codification and tightening of slave codes, which were laws specifically designed to control, restrict, and punish enslaved individuals. These codes further limited the rights and freedoms of slaves and provided legal justification for harsh treatment.
It is important to recognize that the experiences of enslaved individuals were diverse and varied, and the mid-1700s was a period of both resistance and ongoing oppression. The struggle for freedom and equality continued for many decades to come before significant progress was made towards the abolition of slavery in various parts of the world.