10-1 Checkpoint: Life Before the Civil War

8 – U5.1.1 How did the legal status of enslaved people differ from that of both free Black people and free white people in the 19th century?

• Enslaved people could own property like free Black people.
• Enslaved people had no legal rights and were considered property.
• Enslaved people could vote and participate in government.
• Enslaved people received wages for their labor like free white people.

8 – U5.1.1 Which of the following statements best describes a common experience of free Black people in the 19th century compared to free white people?

• Free Black people had equal access to education as free white people.
• Free Black people faced legal restrictions that limited their rights and opportunities.
• Free Black people were always allowed to own land and property.
• Free Black people lived in the same neighborhoods as free white people.

8 – U5.1.1 Think about the different ways free Black people and enslaved individuals tried to fight against unfair treatment. Which of these statements best describes how they resisted?

• Both free Black people and enslaved individuals planned rebellions to fight back against their oppressors.
• Free Black people often used laws and spoke out for their rights, while enslaved individuals mostly tried to escape and rise up against their captors.
• Neither group was worried about resisting because they accepted their roles in society.
• Free Black people mainly worked for their own money, while enslaved individuals tried to gain freedom through talks and agreements.

8 – U5.1.1 Examine the economic opportunities available to free Black people. How did these opportunities compare to those of free white people and enslaved individuals?

• Free Black people had the same job choices as free white people and could work in any job they wanted.
• Free Black people faced unfair treatment that made it harder for them to find jobs, while free white people had many more job options.
• Enslaved individuals had more chances to earn money than free Black people.
• Free Black people mostly worked on farms, while free white people worked in factories.

What condition did both slaves and free blacks face before the Civil War?

• Both groups were allowed to testify in court.

• Both groups were able to vote in elections.

• Both groups were forced to pay taxes.

• Both groups were denied citizenship rights.

8 – U5.1.1 What were some common methods used by enslaved individuals to resist their conditions in the 19th century?

• Enslaved individuals frequently used legal systems to gain freedom.

• Enslaved individuals were content with their conditions and did not resist.

• Enslaved individuals often organized peaceful protests.

• Enslaved individuals sometimes attempted to escape or rebel against their captors.

8 – U5.1.1 How did the social status of free Black people in the 19th century differ from that of enslaved individuals?

• Free Black people had more social freedoms but still faced significant discrimination.

• Free Black people were considered property like enslaved individuals.

• Free Black people were fully accepted into white society.

• Free Black people had the same social status as enslaved individuals.

What was a significant challenge faced by free Black people in the 19th century regarding their legal rights?

• Free Black people were automatically granted citizenship rights.

• Free Black people were often denied the right to testify against white individuals in court.

• Free Black people had unrestricted access to legal representation.

• Free Black people could easily change their legal status to that of a white person.

What were some of the legal limitations faced by free Black people in the 19th century?

• Free Black people were often restricted from voting and serving on juries.

• Free Black people could serve on juries and hold public office.

• Free Black people had the same legal rights as white citizens.

• Free Black people were required to serve in the military.

What was a common method used by free Black people to advocate for their rights in the 19th century?

• Free Black people were not allowed to engage in any form of advocacy.

• Free Black people typically avoided any form of activism.

• Free Black people often organized and participated in peaceful protests.

• Free Black people relied solely on violent uprisings to demand change.