Northerm Emancipation

Shortly After the Revolutionary War began Northern states passed emancipation laws between 1777 and 1804; Vermont was the first state to prohibate slavery by putting it in the constitution. Following Vermont, Massachusetts stated "that all men are born free and equal; and that every subject is entitled to liberty." Eventhough this statement did not clearly prohibit slavery, Many enslaved blacks living in Massachusetts sued for their freedom based on what was stated in the constition. Not all  Northern states were eager to prohibate slavery, in states such as New Hampshire Black residents petitioned fir their freedom. in Connecticut and Rhode Island the state legislatures adopted gradual abolition plans, which left adult slaves in slavery but granted freedom to slaves children at an particular age born after a certain date. By 1804 New Jersey Became the last Northern states to pass an emancipation law.    

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