1. Topic 8
Free Blacks

2. Who were Free Blacks and how did their population grow?

4. Majors reasons for the dramatic growth of the Free Black population:
Impact of revolution and prevailing ideology of equality
Increased manumission (because of some exceptional deed or through wills)
Slaves allowed to work might accumulate enough capital to buy their own freedom (problems were, technically, masters could not be trusted and it was illegal for slaves to own property)
Excess of births over deaths

5. What was the lives of the Free Blacks like?

6. Free Blacks faced restrictions on freedom of movement

7. Required pass to travel out of county jurisdiction in Maryland

8. Common restrictions on Free Blacks:
Freedom of movement
Right to assembly
Church services without licensed and respected white minister
Methods of earning a living
Firearms and alcohol
Loitering (note: frequently abused as excuse to force work)
Right to vote (note: although some older northern states did allow franchise)

9. Boston poster warning Free Blacks of being kidnapped as a slave

10. Most Free Blacks remained poor agricultural workers

13. Education for Free Blacks was difficult, often instruction by liberal whites or religious groups such as Quakers

14. To what extent did any Free Blacks achieve wealth?

15. A few free Blacks were able to acquire considerable wealth despite racist restrictions