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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who said the following: "We never heard our names scarcely at all. First young man I went with wanted to know my initials! What did I know 'bout initials?"

2. Which of the following is NOT a reason a slave owner might sell a slave?

3. What was one cause of death of the Africans aboard the slave ship?

4. Who said, "Judge Miller! Don't you bid for me, 'cause if you do, I would not live on your plantation. I will take a knife and cut my own throat from ear to ear before I would be owned by you."?

5. What event set off a large amount of slave selling?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did the colonists turn to blacks as a means of manual labor?

2. What was the overall reaction from the slave owner community once slaves were freed?

3. Did any slaves actually prefer to exist under slavery?

4. Discuss the ideas of freedom and death to the slaves.

5. Even though Lincoln's original goal was not to free the slaves through the Civil War, why did so many slaves join the Union army?

6. According to the Prologue, how was slavery in the United States different than slavery in other countries?

7. What was one of the big problems that arose after slaves were emancipated?

8. In Chapter 5, what does the story of Paul symbolize?

9. According to Chapter 3, what were the conditions of the slave homes that belonged to George Washington?

10. What is the brief story of the slave named Jake from Chapter 5 and what is its significance?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The overall feeling slaves had about being enslaved was negative. Most of them did not feel happy in their lifestyles. However, there were some slaves who, in fact, did not mind being a slave. First, discuss the sentiment most slaves had about slavery and why. Were they entitled to these feelings? Then discuss why some slaves were complacent with their situation. Why might they not feel the bitterness or sadness that most other slaves felt? Include in your essay a description of house-servants and how they might tie in with this discussion about slaves' feelings about their lifestyles.

Essay Topic 2

Even after emancipation, slaves were not truly freed. They had freedom but not a free life. Discuss the difference of what it means to have freedom and what it means to have a free life. How did slaves have one and not the other? Or do you think they had both or none after the Civil War ended? What was life like for slaves immediately following the war and was it something that could have been prevented or carried out differently?

Essay Topic 3

Sorrow was a major emotion felt by the slaves. Describe what sorrow is and what made the slaves feel this way. Did they always feel sorrow? Why or why not? What did they do in attempts to overcome or mask their sadness?

(see the answer keys)

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