Were Free Blacks In The North Actually Free

Certainly, freedom was supposed to be “freer”” for those slaves that had fought for their rights after years of submissionn, but, unfortunately, many white Southern people continued to ignore the law by not showing any respect for Africans-Americans. Because of the radical reconstruction in the south, the African-Americans were a step closer from the same political

Were African Americans free during Reconstruction? After the Civil War in 1865 and for the next 17 years America was in Reconstruction, during this time period African Americans were referred to as freedmen and women or negroes. Many important things happened during these 15 years, one of them being the 13th Amendment being passed stating that all men were free (Doc. A). The definition of freedom is, the ability to do whatever you want and control your own actions, without external pressure. So were African Americans really free?

To be free means you have freedom and certain rights without anyone interfering with you. You can also do things at your own will. However, during Reconstruction African Americans were not free because whites abused the fact that they had rights and would overpower them. One example is the Ku Klux Klan.

How free were free blacks in the North? Blacks in the North were somewhat free in the years just before the civil war In Jamestown slavery was introduced in 1619 and continued ever since it’s been used for a very long time. But then it was abolished at one time, which brought them more freedom but not as much as whites. This technique was used and abolished during the 1800’s in the north. It ended around the 1860’s after the Civil war. Slavery was abolished much more in the North but they still had constrictions for the African-Americans. It was much freer but they still had their constraints. New England was much more free than others, but it still had its constraints and I’m going to tell you about why I’m right by talking about their economic,

freedom along with many other privileges that white men had. Black men were only allowed suffrage in five states

Blacks in the North partially free. [Document B is an excerpt from a book by an Englishman, named Charles Mackay about his tour through the United States and Canada from 1857-1858. His book, Life and liberty in America: or sketches of a tour in the united States and Canada, is about the freedoms and limitation that the African Americans in the north had.] According to doc B which states that” he shall be free to live, and to thrive, if he can, and to pay taxes and to perform duties.” African Americans could live and thrive.African Americans were able to live and thrive so they weren’t slaves any longer which was good because they were free to do as they needed to.

Blacks couldn't do about anything in the north. So they weren't allowed to work at certain jobs, eat at places whites ate at or even use the same restroom. They may have been free but they still had to be careful on what they do, just because the north is free doesn't mean all whites still agree with it. Lots of time blacks were kicked out of areas because of the whites not liking them. Free blacks in the north had very limited freedoms.

The 1800s, was a time of prosperity, wealth, and slaves. New inventions were made which helped industrialize the country, and mass produce products. However, the African Americans were brought into slavery to help collect materials that made industrializing easier. Slaves were a key component to cotton picking in the South, though in the North, slaves were not a necessity, so one by one, states began emancipating their slaves. By the 1860s, there were 221,000 free blacks in the North, and the three regions are New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and the Midwest, which all became slave free states. Even though all states in the North became slave free states, other states, such as, Rhode Island took 58 years to officially outlaw slavery. Unfortunately, African Americans were looked down upon and discriminated against, since their skin color was different. Due to this matter, it made their lives more difficult, because they were not given the freedom they deserved. So, how free were the free blacks in the North? Even

“The freedom of self, the equality of human, the independence of mind, and the right of heart.” Quoted by Thomas Jefferson in 1818. ‘How free were free blacks in North’ all depended on sociality. The lives of blacks were so complicated and restricted from normal human in North. Although ex-fugitive slaves in North could not be bought or sold, they were forbidden to associate with whites. “We are of another race, and he is inferior. Let him know his place and keep it.” Stated again by Charles Mackay. Restrictions of blacks included not doing things with whites in such manner. The most important cassette of life and humanity. Social rights affected the phase of civil life in the America. The freedom of society commenced by a declaration would change the way of life and living forever.

A Negro leader living in Boston, made it quite clear where the laws came from, “it is five times as hard to get a house in a good location in Boston as in Philadelphia, and it is ten times as difficult for a colored mechanic to get work here as in Charleston.” (19) His dilemma exhibited how a Negro man figured life in the South might be superior to the North. He made this statement in 1860. In 1860, the South was pushing through the process of Reconstruction. The Negro leader’s statement shocked those who believed the North was where freedom reigned.

The struggle for equality and the battle to have one’s suppressed voice be heard is prevalent throughout the history of the United States. The Native Americans, women, and even Catholics have all encountered discrimination and belittlement in one shape or form, which eventually urged individuals within those groups to rise up and demand equal opportunity. As the United States began to shift away from slavery, one of the most deep rooted, controversial dilemmas aroused- what do black people need to do in order to gain civil rights both economically and socially? Booker T. Washington’s “Atlanta Exposition Address” and W.E.B. Du Bois's “The Soul of Black Folks” were pieces of writings influenced by the puzzle that black people were left to solve. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Du Bois had contrasting ideas, but they both contributed a piece to the puzzle in hopes of solving the never ending mind game.

In this context, the word, "free", is defined as being not enslaved. Also, it is broken into three parts, which are political freedom, economic freedom, and social freedom. In the North, free blacks had restricted political, economic, and social freedom. Free blacks in the North had limited political freedom-the right to vote or hold office.

African Americans living in the North, as well as those in the South, faced multiple challenges. In 1860, tension grew between the North and South. Most southern states still held onto slavery, because their slaves were worth money, while the North was trying to abolish it. The North had many free African Americans, but the question is, were they actually free? Free Africans Americans in the North before the civil war were not actually free because, they had little to none political right, they were not allowed to associate with whites, and making a living, no matter what, was hard.

Meanwhile, in the south, Free blacks were still at risk and lived under the shadow of slavery.Free blacks were at risk of being captured and sold as a slave to wealthy plantation owners. Their

Throughout the course history many people have spoken out in criticism of the unbalance of one’s basic rights for a specific demographic, whether it be depending on one’s race gender or sexuality. In America, The African American population are a leading example of this struggle as for them, it still persists to this day. In 1895, Booker T. Washington, A civil rights leader who was born into slavery but was later granted freedom after slavery was abolished, gave his famous speech known as “The Atlanta Compromise.” a speech that unlike more modern speech takes a more passive tone in its explanation due the limitations of the time period. While this may be a big shift from what were used to, this doesn’t take away from the impact of his message. His warning to the white populous of the south, that if they don’t include the African-American demographic, 1-3 of the population at the time, their economy will suffer.