Slavery was a tragic and oppressive institution that existed in the United States for over 200 years. Enslaved Africans were forcibly brought to the American colonies as early as 1619 to provide free labor that supported the agricultural economy. Over time, the practice of slavery expanded and was protected by laws. By the start of the Civil War in 1861, around 4 million African Americans were enslaved, predominantly in the Southern states.
In the late 18th century, opposition to slavery began to grow, led by Quakers and other religious groups. This abolitionist movement called for emancipation, or the ending of slavery in the United States. Some Northern states took action early on to outlaw slavery, beginning with Vermont in 1777.
Vermont
Vermont was the first state to abolish slavery when it adopted its constitution in 1777. Vermont started as an independent republic before joining the Union in 1791 as the 14th state. When Vermont broke away from New York and New Hampshire, it did so on an anti-slavery platform. The state constitution included the following prohibitions on slavery:
- “No male person, born in this country, or brought from over sea, ought to be holden by law, to serve any person, as a servant, slave or apprentice, after he arrives to the age of twenty-one Years, nor female, in like manner, after she arrives to the age of eighteen years, unless they are bound by their own consent, after they arrive to such age, or bound by law, for the payment of debts, damages, fines, costs, or the like.”
- “No person, unless authorized by some law of this State, shall hold, or exercise in this State, any office of honor, power or profit, under the authority of Congress.”
This effectively abolished slavery in Vermont. Any enslaved persons brought into Vermont after its 1777 constitution were considered free. These constitutional prohibitions also blocked Vermont from participating in the fugitive slave laws that required the return of runaway slaves. However, the language did not grant freedom to the enslaved persons already within Vermont’s borders. Census records show at least 17 enslaved individuals remaining in Vermont as late as 1800.
Key Facts on Vermont’s Abolition of Slavery
- First state to prohibit slavery in its constitution in 1777
- Part of its move to independence from New Hampshire and New York
- Language blocked enforcement of federal fugitive slave laws
- Did not grant freedom to those already enslaved in the state
- Around 17 enslaved persons remained in Vermont in 1800
Massachusetts
In 1780, Massachusetts became the first state to effectively abolish slavery through its court system. Under the Massachusetts constitution ratified in 1780, slavery was not explicitly prohibited. However, it did contain the declaration that “all men are born free and equal.” This language was used as the basis for several court cases that challenged the legality of slavery. One of the most significant cases was Commonwealth v. Jennison in 1783, in which the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that slavery was incompatible with the state’s new constitution.
In this case, a slave named Quock Walker sued for his freedom after his master, Nathaniel Jennison, attempted to sell him to another master in the South. The court ruled in Walker’s favor, stating:
“…as soon as he set foot on American soil, he became a free man.”
This case set the legal precedent for the abolishment of slavery in Massachusetts. Additional court cases in the 1780s led Massachusetts to formally abolish the institution of slavery. The end of slavery in Massachusetts also made it a safe haven for escaped slaves from other states.
Key Facts on Massachusetts’ Abolition of Slavery
- Slavery abolished through Massachusetts courts based on 1780 constitution
- Key case of Commonwealth v. Jennison in 1783 ruled slavery unconstitutional
- Additional court cases led to formal abolishment by 1790
- Became a safe haven for escaped slaves from other states
Other Early Abolitionist States
In addition to Vermont and Massachusetts, several other Northern states took early action to abolish slavery following the Revolutionary War:
- Pennsylvania – The 1780 Pennsylvania constitution prohibited the importation of enslaved persons. Gradual emancipation laws freed those enslaved over time. By 1810, three-quarters of the enslaved population was free.
- New Hampshire – The state abolished slavery in 1857, freeing about 151 enslaved persons.
- Connecticut – Established gradual emancipation in 1784, with complete abolition by 1848.
- Rhode Island – Instituted laws between 1774-1784 limiting slavery. All enslaved persons were freed by 1840.
- New York – Enacted gradual emancipation starting in 1799, ending slavery by 1827.
While these states moved to limit or abolish slavery following the Revolution, the practice remained legal and widespread across the South. Vermont and Massachusetts were the pioneers that demonstrated how Northern state governments could take action against slavery within their borders.
The Path to Nationwide Emancipation
The abolition of slavery in the Northern states in the late 18th and early 19th centuries marked an important milestone in turning public opinion against slavery leading up to the Civil War. However, slavery remained entrenched in the agricultural economy of the South. It took the Emancipation Proclamation and the Union victory in the Civil War before the 13th Amendment formally abolished slavery nationwide in 1865.
Vermont and Massachusetts were early movers that provided precedent for other Northern states to follow in limiting or prohibiting slavery. While their state-level bans did not end slavery across the country, they demonstrated that emancipation was legally and morally justified earlier than most. The Vermont and Massachusetts abolition laws inspired many in the growing anti-slavery movement and laid the groundwork for nationwide emancipation decades later.
Conclusion
In examining the question of what state first ended slavery, the distinction goes to Vermont for including the prohibition of slavery in its 1777 constitution. This groundbreaking language made Vermont the first sovereign state to ban the institution of slavery. Massachusetts was not far behind, using its courts to abolish slavery by the 1780s based on constitutional principles. Though slavery remained prevalent in much of the country, these early actions by Vermont and Massachusetts were pioneering milestones on the path toward nationwide emancipation.