First, read the documents in the primary source packet below.  Take some notes on the sources – what is each saying? Be sure to consider the questions following each of the primary sources – do not write responses, but consider the questions to help you contextualize and understand each primary source.

Next, consider that from 1775 to 1830, many African Americans gained freedom from slavery, yet during the same period the institution of slavery expanded. Explain why BOTH of those changes took place (100 points). Analyze the ways that BOTH free African Americans and enslaved African Americans responded to the challenges confronting them.  Use the documents in the primary source packet and your knowledge of the institution of slavery (refer to our textbook, chapters 10 – 14), and abolitionist and reform movements in your answer.

Finally, write a 5-paragraph essay answering the question above.  For each claim you make, support it with a quote from a primary source you’ve used (and say which primary source you are quoting).  There is no “right” or “wrong” answer – you can write about how you interpret the primary sources.  Just be sure to use the primary sources in your essay to show you’ve read and understood their meanings; and that you can use evidence from the past to support your ideas.