This country, particularly the American South, was built by the labor of African slaves. African slaves were not allowed to be educated. Almost all African slaves could not read or write because it was illegal to educate slaves for over 200 years. The master/slave relationship made assimilation very difficult. Values ​​and beliefs were formed during these years and are still evident today (Parrillo, 2009). Thomas Jefferson owned slaves on his Monticello property. At this time, approximately 20% of the new United States were African slaves. Although he owned approximately 600 slaves, he was a consistent opponent of slavery. Jefferson's slaves worked in the fields, at home, and as skilled artisans. They worked 6 days a week with Sundays off and several holidays. According to the Monticello Enslaved Families page, there were at least 6 families that had at least three generations of enslaved families in Monticello. These families were the Hemings, the Gillettes, the Herns, the Fossetts, the Grangers and the Hubbards. These families all had different skills such as chef, blacksmith, and other skills needed to make Monticello a successful Virginian plantation (Enslaved Families of Monticello, n.d.). In 1857, the case of Dred Scott v. Sanford was brought before a pro-slavery court. Supreme Court of the United States. Scott claimed that he had lived as a slave in a free state and territory. The High Court's decision was that he was a slave and that the law ensuring that slavery would not be permitted in the new territories of the United States was unconstitutional. The court's decision helped accelerate the civil war. Because of the Supreme Court's decision, the Northerners who...... middle of paper ...... constitute the most remarkable event in the history of the United States (New World, 2009).ReferencesCozzens, L., (1999) Welcome to Afro-American History! Retrieved March 16, 2012 from http://www.watson.org/~lisa/blackhistory/index.htmlEnslaved Families of Monticello (nd) Slavery at Jefferson's Monticello: paradox of liberty, retrieved March 16, 2012 from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture http://www.slaveryatmonticello.org/slavery-at-monticello/enslaved-families-monticelloNew World Encyclopedia (2009) African American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968), retrieved March 16, 2012 at http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/African-American_Civil_Rights_Movement_%281955-1968%29#CreditsParrillo, V., (2009) Strangers on These Shores: Race and Ethnic Relations in the United States, (9th ed.), Boston, MA, Allyn and Bacon