Group+2+Rights+and+Freedom

Group 2 Rights and Freedom


 * __Rights and Freedoms of Colonial Women__**

During the Colonial times, there were certain rights and freedoms that women were allowed to have. For starter's, women had simple household chores that were assigned. For example, women had to sew, cook and make household items such as #|candles and other products. In the opinion, women they were considered to be not as strong physically or mentally. They were not allowed to vote, hold public office, or participate in legal situations. In the English common law, women who were unmarried were allowed to own land and could sue or be sued. When they get married, all of their rights are taken away and the men would be the foundation for their wives. Labor was valuable in Colonial America. Many women were allowed to prove their worth by pursuing positions including midwives, merchants, printers, and also doctors.


 * __Rights and Freedoms of Men__**




 * __Rights and Freedoms of Free and Non-Free African Slaves__**

During the Colonial times, there were several freedoms that African Slaves were allowed to have. There were times where skilled slaves who worked hard can earn enough money to buy their freedom from the masters. During the Colonial times there was a thing called manumission which is where slave owners would volunteer to free their slaves. The reward for slaves would be the act of having their masters buy their freedom. This manner would rarely happen. One big problem that freed slaves would have is slave catchers who would abduct free African slaves and force them back into slavery. There was little that could be done for this problem. In Colonial Virginia, free slaves were expected to live as part of the community. They were allowed to live and work with the whites. They were allowed to own land, vote and they also had to pay taxes. Some blacks owned other slaves and indentured servants. Many slaves were allowed to earn money, keep livestock and raise crop for their family.



Citations:

"Free African Americans in the Colonial Era." //U.S. History//. ushistory.org, n.d. Web. 20 Sep 2012. .

"Minority Experience." //Gettysburg Area High School//. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sep 2012. .

Wolfe, Brendan. "Free Blacks in Colonial Virginia." // Encyclopedia Virginia //. Virginia Foundation for the Humanities., 18 Jan. 2012. Web. 22 Sep 2012. <http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Free_Blacks_in_Colonial_Virginia

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