<P> By the mid-18th century, the values of the American Enlightenment became established and weakened the view that husbands were natural "rulers" over their wives . There was a new sense of shared marriage . Legally, husbands took control of wives' property when marrying . Divorce was almost impossible until the late eighteenth century . </P> <P> Slaves imported to American colonies </P> <Ul> <Li> 1620 - 1700...21,000 </Li> <Li> 1701 - 1760...189,000 </Li> <Li> 1761 - 1770...63,000 </Li> <Li> 1771 - 1790...56,000 </Li> <Li> 1791 - 1800...79,000 </Li> <Li> 1801 - 1810...124,000 </Li> <Li> 1810 - 1865...51,000 </Li> <Li> Total...597,000 </Li> </Ul> <Li> 1620 - 1700...21,000 </Li>

When did the first colonist arrive in america