How Free Were Free Blacks in the North?
In 1860, 31 million people resided in the United States. Of this figure, about 4.5 million people were of African-American descent. Only 500,000 African-Americans were free. Moreover, about 221,000 free African-Americans lived in the Northern region of the United States. Blacks in the North were partially free. African-Americans did have certain rights, including having a job and making general life decisions. Document B is an excerpt from “Life and Liberty in America”, by Charles Mackay in 1859. He describes the general freedoms different groups of people possess in the United States. According to Document B, Charles Mackay stated, “He [African-American men] shall be free to live, and thrive, and if he can, and to pay taxes and perform duties.” …show more content…
Document B claims, “He [African-American men] shall not represent us in the legislature… attend us in our courts… to attend us in the bed of sickness...or to marry with our daughters.” The freedom African-Americans had in the North were severely limited. As previously mentioned, they could not get high-income careers, such as being a doctor, and were segregated from the rest of society - as they could not marry white women nor attend courts. In addition - they could not vote. This freedom is important to all groups of people, not just African-Americans, because without the right to vote, African-Americans cannot have a voice and mention their issues in the “democracy” of the United States. In addition, success is a dream of many people, but with the restrictions in place for African-Americans, their low-paying jobs simply cannot suffice for a wealthy lifestyle. Therefore, African-Americans are partially free. While they had some freedoms, such as having an income and making basic life choices, they were segregated, and were forced into low-paying careers, and could not
In 1860, 31 million people resided in the United States. Of this figure, about 4.5 million people were of African-American descent. Only 500,000 African-Americans were free. Moreover, about 221,000 free African-Americans lived in the Northern region of the United States. Blacks in the North were partially free. African-Americans did have certain rights, including having a job and making general life decisions. Document B is an excerpt from “Life and Liberty in America”, by Charles Mackay in 1859. He describes the general freedoms different groups of people possess in the United States. According to Document B, Charles Mackay stated, “He [African-American men] shall be free to live, and thrive, and if he can, and to pay taxes and perform duties.” …show more content…
Document B claims, “He [African-American men] shall not represent us in the legislature… attend us in our courts… to attend us in the bed of sickness...or to marry with our daughters.” The freedom African-Americans had in the North were severely limited. As previously mentioned, they could not get high-income careers, such as being a doctor, and were segregated from the rest of society - as they could not marry white women nor attend courts. In addition - they could not vote. This freedom is important to all groups of people, not just African-Americans, because without the right to vote, African-Americans cannot have a voice and mention their issues in the “democracy” of the United States. In addition, success is a dream of many people, but with the restrictions in place for African-Americans, their low-paying jobs simply cannot suffice for a wealthy lifestyle. Therefore, African-Americans are partially free. While they had some freedoms, such as having an income and making basic life choices, they were segregated, and were forced into low-paying careers, and could not