In 1776, when the colonists declared their independence and formed the United States,
A) 500,000 enslaved people lived in the new nation, comprising one-fifth of the total population of the United States.
B) the enslaved population was at its peak in American history and would decline rapidly in the decades ahead.
C) 10,000 of the new nation's inhabitants were enslaved people, which was 4 percent of the total population.
D) all enslaved people became free.
E) slavery only existed in the southern colonies.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

At the time of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, there were approximately 500,000 enslaved people in the colonies, making up about one-fifth of the total population. This fact highlights the significant presence of slavery in the early United States, not just in the South but in many parts of the new nation.

In 1776, When the Colonists Declared Their Independence and Formed