How Free Were Blacks In The North Essay

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Pages: 3

How Free Were Blacks in the North?
Living in the North was supposed to be free for ex slaves but what a facade it was. The Blacks were free but they didn’t have some rights as white people had in the North. In the North Blacks had restricted politics and social relations. Although, Blacks were free from slavery they had restricted politics in the North. The Blacks thought they would have lots of freedom in the North but they were wrong they had some rights. According to “ Voting and Jury rights of Blacks in the North: 1860,” it states that “ A $250 property requirements kept most black New Yorkers from voting” (Document A). This text evidence shows that in New York Blacks had to pay $250 dollars just to vote. Also they couldn’t vote in the
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The Blacks had restricted social relations with the white people in the North they couldn’t represent them in the legislature, mingle with them in their concert rooms and many other social relations. According to “ Life and Liberty in America,” it states that “We shall not make the Black man a slave; we shall not buy or sell him; but we shall not associate with him” (Document B). This quote shows that blacks were somewhat free in the North because the white people will not make them slaves or buy and sell them.The white people will not associate with them no matter what happens to them or what they want. According to” Life and Liberty in America,” it states that “ He shall be free to live, and to thrive, if he can, and to pay taxes and perform duties; but he shall not be free to marry our daughters, drink at our board tables and attend us in our courts” ( Document B). This text evidence shows that Blacks were not really free because they couldn’t join the white people in their theatres or marry their daughters in the North. Blacks were free at the same time because in the North they were free and were able to perform duties like white people and pay taxes. This the second reason why Blacks weren’t that free and didn’t have some rights in the