Violence Against African Americans
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Violence Against African Americans
Prior to the Civil War, Illinois was a free state bordering Missouri and Kentucky where slavery existed. Examining population maps shows a large number of free African American communities living in this part of the state. Why? Was it safe for free African Americans to live so close to states that permitted slavery? If not, why did they settle in this area? Use the sources provided below to answer this module’s essential question.
Essential Question:
How safe was southernmost Illinois for African Americans, freedom seekers, and those who supported them?
Examine the Evidence
Click “Read” below to access 4 newspaper articles that represent the level of violence waged against African Americans and white abolitionists in Southern Illinois prior to the Civil War. These articles will help you complete the graphic organizer and final question at the end of this page.
Make a Claim and Cite Evidence to Support It
According the sources in the previous section, was Southern Illinois dangerous for Enslaved African Americans, Free African Americans, or All African Americans (including white abolitionists)? Identify the correct group under each sources' title (e.g. "Child-Stealing at The North"). Then, identify the statement from each source that best supports your claim. Finally, corroborate your findings and select the correct answer at the bottom of this screen.