As slavery became a significant part of the American colonial economy, the lives of black people, free and unfree, would be affected in many ways. For slaves and free people of color, where they lived determined the rights they would be granted. For Dutch slaves in New Netherland (now New York) in the 17th century, slaves could marry and even be rewarded for their long service or hard work with complete freedom. However, this freedom had a catch: freed slaves would have to pay an annual contribution to the Dutch West India Company and their children could not share their parents' freed status. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayIn Virginia, policies were put in place in response to concerns about labor shortages. In 1662, Virginia passed a law that stated that a child's status would depend on the mother's status: if an enslaved mother was still a slave, her child would also remain a slave. Slaves in Virginia would also be deprived of the freedom to assemble, the freedom to bear arms, and the freedom of movement without a certificate from a master. When New York fell under British practices, slaves were subject to strict laws. In 1706, a law was put in place stating that a slave's baptism would have no effect on his status as a slave and that a child's status would follow that of his mother. The law also specified that a slave could not be a competent witness in a case involving a white or black free man. The lives of the slaves did not improve soon after. In 1712, an insurrection occurred in which 23 armed slaves burned a slave owner's house and killed nine whites and injured six.21 The slaves were convicted and executed, and on the 10 December 1712, a law was passed that made arson punishable. through death, he restricted the manumissions of slaves and ensured that no free black, Indian or mulatto could hold land, houses, buildings or inheritances. In New England, slaves and free people of color would not face such strict laws. Slaves in New England were allowed to marry in the late 17th century, but this institution would be negatively affected by the fact that some married slaves were owned by different masters. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers.Get a Custom EssaySlaves were also given the opportunity to testify in court, sue, and petition for their freedom. Free blacks also enjoyed a life that involved dancing, playing games, and sharing stories. In French Louisiana, some free blacks were able to inflict public punishments and even carry out executions as was the case in Louis Congo. When Louisiana fell to the Spanish, slaves had greater access to freedom than when Louisiana was under French rule. Free men of color were also given the opportunity to form militias provided they followed sumptuary laws requiring them to wear clothing significantly inferior to that of whites..