How did the legal status of slavery change in the United States between the Revolution and the Civil War?
Note: State borders on this map are present-day boundaries and do not necessarily represent borders as they were during this period.
Abolition of slavery in the North was accomplished primarily through gradual emancipation acts. Thus, slavery still existed in New York in 1827 and in New Jersey until the eve of the Civil War.
Massachusetts 1780 (judicial decision)
Pennsylvania in 1780 (gradual emancipation act)
New Hampshire 1783 (constitutional interpretation)
Rhode Island 1784 (gradual emancipation act)
Connecticut 1784 and 1797 (gradual emancipation act)
New York 1799 and 1817 (gradual emancipation act)
New Jersey 1804 (gradual emancipation act)
The following is the roster of states admitted and their status:
