Slaves and Free Blacks

The Revolutionary War helped change the notion of slavery to many Americans as more than 40,000 free blacks lived in the American Colonies by the beginning of the 19th century. Many of the free blacks had opposed British rule, and most northern states had adopted measures to end slavery by the 19th century. Free blacks consisted of blacks free by law, those whose masters had freed them, those who had purchased their freedom, and those who were born to parents that were free. While whites still treated free blacks as inferior and with discrimination, many free blacks were gainfully employed in the 19th century, helping fuel America's growing industrial revolution in industries from textiles to shipbuilding. Free blacks also became skilled trade and craftsmen, with many advancing to merchant or higher status. Many found a career in journalism. As one historian notes, "The best-known editors were Samuel Cornish and John Russwurm, who helped start the first black newspaper, Freedom's Journal, in 1827" (Free 1).

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Category: History - S