AFRICAN SLAVES
Human Property

Slave traders had been selling kidnapped Africans to all of the colonies since the early 1600s. A prosperous "triangle trade" began when Caribbean molasses was shipped to New England rum distilleries, then the rum crossed the Atlantic to Africa where it was swapped for a return cargo of captive Black tribesmen. Of the 540,000 slaves in the colonies (not even counted in population figures), many lived their lives in chains and were trapped into a life neither African nor American.

NATIVE AMERICANS
Eighty-five Separate Nations

Over 200,000 Native Americans lived east of the Mississippi River, separated into 85 different nations and into two major language groups, Algonquian and Iroquoian. Ancient rivalries led to constant warfare, and by the mid-18th century, bows and arrows had been replaced by guns and ammunition. Soon they would be choosing sides in the war between Britain and America.

FRONTIER PIONEERS
Scrappy Farmers and Tough Frontiersmen

Owning land beyond the Appalachian Mountains became the dream of Daniel Boone, along with many thousands of colonists. The land was also claimed by Native Americans, and much bloodshed on both sides led King George to send in British troops, primarily to keep white pioneers out of western territories. The King wanted the colonists to live near the ocean where his Royal Navy could be in control. View Daniel Boone's rifle.