Historical Enslavement
Centuries of Building Empires through Racial Divide
12th Century
13th Century
14th Century
15th Century
16th Century
17th Century
18th Century
19th Century
20th Century
21st Century
Publications
White Papers
Our Core Exposition
Explore the Ida B. Wells Center's Core Exposition, challenging the legality of slavery in U.S. history and advocating for justice and restitution.
Why Everything Changed
Learn how slavery in the U.S. was rooted in corrupt colonial practices, challenging its legality under British law and reshaping historical narratives.
The What Behind it All
Explore how English common law deemed slavery illegal in American colonies, challenging the legitimacy of colonial slave codes.
The Whatsoever
Explore how the Declaratory Act of 1766 asserted British legislative authority over American colonies, nullifying conflicting colonial laws and fueling revolutionary sentiments.
The Who Behind it All
Discover Elizabeth Key's 17th-century legal battle in Virginia, challenging hereditary slavery by asserting rights under English common law.
Tying the Knot
Uncover the criminal origins of slavery in the U.S. at the Ida B. Wells Center, exploring how corrupt colonial practices defied British law.
