During the 1860’s the majority of African Americans in the South were enslaved, but more than
250.000 citizens were free African Americans. They could live in both rural and urban areas, but the majority of them lived in the countryside and worked for plantations or farms. Others lived in the city and most of those lived as skilled artisans.
To earn their freedom, some African Americans had to buy it from their owners. Others were free by manumission (which means that the slave owner sets them free). This sometimes happened because they couldn’t do their work anymore or because they had earned favours with the slave owner. Many other African Americans became free because they escaped.
Free African Americans faced constant discrimination from
250.000 citizens were free African Americans. They could live in both rural and urban areas, but the majority of them lived in the countryside and worked for plantations or farms. Others lived in the city and most of those lived as skilled artisans.
To earn their freedom, some African Americans had to buy it from their owners. Others were free by manumission (which means that the slave owner sets them free). This sometimes happened because they couldn’t do their work anymore or because they had earned favours with the slave owner. Many other African Americans became free because they escaped.
Free African Americans faced constant discrimination from