Slavery and Freedom

A detailed Summary of Slavery and Freedom

Throughout history the rights of the American people have changed over time, due to differing circumstances. Today all Americans are granted the right of freedom, but during antebellum in the Old South only a few social groups were granted this right. Before the Civil War the Old South contained three distinct groups of people who were defined by the right of freedom; slaves who were denied the right of freedom and white non-slave holders and white plantation owners who were able to fully embraced freedom.

The one social group that was striped of freedom during post antebellum in the Old South, were black slaves. Freedom and rights can be taken away from a person, but no one can take away their spirit. Masters decided on every aspect of a slaves life, but slaves were still able to create problems that would effect aspects of their masters life. Many slaves broke tools, acted like they did not understand the directions that were given to them, and did not work to their full ability. When slaves created this type of inefficiency plantation owners lost time and money.

Slaves were able to retain their individual spirit, but under the law they possessed absolutely no rights at this point in time. While plantation owners and

Blacks did not gain their freedom until after the Civil War, but all whites in the Old South obtained freedom from the day that they were born. Non-slave holders and slaveholders were able to take part in any relationship that they desired. Not only could plantation owners and non-slaveholders choose whom they wanted to marry they could create a family structure that would benefit them. Unlike slaves, parents could decide at what age their children began to work, how long they worked each day, and if they would go to school. These white men were also able to move their families as they felt necessary.

The slave codes took away the rights of life, liberty, and property, which are guaranteed to every citizen under common law. Without the three basic rights, freedom was absent in every since because blacks were unable to provide for themselves economically, they were not able to participate in politics, and they were unable to form relationships without the consent of their master. By taking away these rights the south placed slaves outside of society.

Under this Alabama code slaves were not given any rights and freedom was a desire that would not be full filled for years to come. Much like the Alabama code of 1852, other states in the Old South instituted codes that resembled the Bill of Rights turned upside down.

A litany of rights denied. Those 'having charge of a slave' were directed to ensure that the slave not exercise the righ

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Approximate Word count = 984
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History