Free Blacks Dbq

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How Free Were Free Blacks in the North? "All men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights of which . . . they cannot deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety." -Thomas Jefferson These were the words written in the Declaration of Independence. However, this was not the case during the time of slavery. Even for the “freed” slaves. “Freed blacks” were generally not free at all. They were not allowed to do any of the things any other free american could do. They were not allowed to vote or participate in hearings, they were not allowed to dine in the same restaurants as their fellow “free americans”, in addition to those things, they were also not even allowed to associate with each other or the white man or woman would be looked down upon. Therefore not giving the “free” blacks any freedom at all. What is being free in a country if you have no say in government or in any trials as a jury member. Out of the Northern states only five states were completely for giving freed blacks the right to vote. (Document A) Other five states had restrictions on the voting rights of the black men. The other six Northern states did not give the right to vote to the freed blacks. (Document A) If there is no right to vote in a country you are not treated like a citizen. The constitution was signed in the year 1787, stating that all men are equal. There is no equality if you are not allowed to vote just because you are of a different skin color. They were “Freed Blacks” but couldn’t even be granted the freedom to vote as the other “free” men of the country were. Other than not being able to vote, the free blacks were not able to even participate in the jury. Only one state out of all of the northern states
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