1. CHAPTER 20: AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE MID-1800S READING NOTES

2. 20.1 INTRODUCTION By 1850, U.S. population was 23 million 3.6 million were African Americans – most were slaves Half a million were free blacks – many were former slaves that had escaped to freedom By 1850, U.S. population was 23 million 3.6 million were African Americans – most were slaves Half a million were free blacks – many were former slaves that had escaped to freedom

3. 20.2 – NORTH AND SOUTH, SLAVE AND FREE LEGAL STATUS: – Free blacks had some rights by law – Slaves had no rights at all – Free or Slave – lives were shaped by racism Racism – the belief that one race is superior to another LEGAL STATUS: – Free blacks had some rights by law – Slaves had no rights at all – Free or Slave – lives were shaped by racism Racism – the belief that one race is superior to another

4. Slaves Legal Status Were considered legal property Could be bought and sold Could not own or buy anything Worked mostly on farms and plantations Sometimes were hired out to work in factories, mills, or workshops Wages belonged to owners Some were allowed to ‘live out’ on their own Were considered legal property Could be bought and sold Could not own or buy anything Worked mostly on farms and plantations Sometimes were hired out to work in factories, mills, or workshops Wages belonged to owners Some were allowed to ‘live out’ on their own

5. Free Blacks in the South Half of free African Americans lived in South Worked as laborers, crafts-people, or household servants in towns and cities Were forbidden to own guns Could not travel freely Were not allowed to work certain jobs Half of free African Americans lived in South Worked as laborers, crafts-people, or household servants in towns and cities Were forbidden to own guns Could not travel freely Were not allowed to work certain jobs

6. Free Blacks in the North Experienced discrimination Were denied the right to vote Had trouble finding good jobs Had to live under policies of segregation Started their own churches, schools, and self- help organizations Experienced discrimination Were denied the right to vote Had trouble finding good jobs Had to live under policies of segregation Started their own churches, schools, and self- help organizations

7. 20.3 – The Economics of Slavery Only wealthier planters could afford to buy slaves Majority of white Southerners did not own slaves Cotton Gin made cotton a valuable cash crop Economy of the South depended on cotton, and cotton planters depended on slave labor to grow their crops Only wealthier planters could afford to buy slaves Majority of white Southerners did not own slaves Cotton Gin made cotton a valuable cash crop Economy of the South depended on cotton, and cotton planters depended on slave labor to grow their crops

8. 20.3 - Continued… As prices went up, slaves became more valuable to their owners. The rising value of their slaves, made slaveholders more determined to keep slavery. In their eyes, freeing slaves could only mean financial ruin. As prices went up, slaves became more valuable to their owners. The rising value of their slaves, made slaveholders more determined to keep slavery. In their eyes, freeing slaves could only mean financial ruin.