Many changes occurred to the a freedman's life during reconstruction. Which of the following freedoms did these individuals gain?
1- right to legalize a marriage and raise a family
2- freedom to choose where to live
3- freedom to establish churches and community centers
4- all of the above
my answer is all of the above
correct
thank you
You are correct, the answer is indeed "all of the above." Freedmen, referring to formerly enslaved individuals, gained multiple freedoms during Reconstruction. Let's go through the options to understand how each one was achieved.
1- Right to legalize a marriage and raise a family: During slavery, marriages and families among enslaved individuals were not recognized legally and could be easily broken by slave owners. However, with the Emancipation Proclamation and the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, freedmen gained the legal right to marry, form families, and protect their relationships. This allowed them to establish stable family structures, which were essential for their social and economic advancement.
2- Freedom to choose where to live: Enslaved people were forcefully relocated and had no control over where they lived. However, after emancipation, they gained the freedom to choose where they would reside. This newfound mobility allowed freedmen to seek better economic opportunities, reunite with family members, or establish communities in areas they preferred.
3- Freedom to establish churches and community centers: Prior to Reconstruction, enslaved people were often prohibited from practicing their own religions or establishing their own places of worship. However, after emancipation, freedmen gained the right to exercise their religious beliefs freely. As a result, they established churches and community centers that served as important institutions for social, political, and economic empowerment within their communities.
Therefore, as all of these freedoms were gained by freedmen during Reconstruction, the correct answer is indeed "all of the above."