A lot of people have their different opinions on when America started, but we do know that slavery in America started in the early 1620's. the definition of slavery is, A person being bought or sold for free labor. The African Americans of the in the united states were the victims of this situation. African Americans of the united states were not even considered citizens . Then the 16th president of the united states ( Abraham Lincoln) came along and realized they were not being treated fairly. Lincoln signed the Emancipation of Proclamation which freed slaves in the rebellious states if they were willing to fight. Later the thirteenth amendment came around for states to approve and no longer than a year later ( the date the 13th amendment was final was January 31, 1865) the 13th Amendment was ratified.