Question #1
The two key institutions of The African American community were the family and the church. An indigenous culture was developed: a culture that was influential to all attributes of the southern life.
The slave marriages were not acknowledged by the law in the southern state and often those who went against this were separated through sale by their masters. In some cases, their masters encouraged the black man to be monogamous on grounds that family man –known for caring for his children and wife- will be more respectable (less rebellious) compared to a single slave. The parents gave their children protective and supportive kinship: this was a proactive measure just in case the family is separated their children knew who (relatives and friends) to lean on.
Slaves were not allowed to practice their African religion though a number of survivals did manage to work their ways into the folk culture of the slaves. The earliest and the following Great Awakenings promoted Christianity to many slaves. African American churches started emerging in 1790s: whites hoped that religion would make the African slave more obedient. The slaves received spiritual nourishment that liberated them spiritually.
Question#2
John brown was one earliest man who wanted to see an end to slavery: his detest to slavery began at a tender age under the influence of his father. In 1859, 16th October, he orchestrated a 21 man raid of federal arsenal in Virginia – at Harpers Ferry. His strategy of having slaves and his men armed was a move opposed by militiamen, local farmers and marines under the authority of Robert Lee. Over a day later, most of his men had been captured and killed.
In the process of the cross fire during the attack, Brown was wounded that led to his arrest. He was moved to a town in Virginia- Charles town- where he was convicted of treason. Before the verdict of his hearing he was granted an audience by the court. He said that he believed to have interfered but he was not on the wrong. He argued that if it was indeed necessary for him to die as a martyr then he was up to the challenge but he was proud that he fought for justice. He was later hanged in December 1859.From all these, it clear that john was a hero that north respected and not terrorist as the southern cowards claimed.
Question#3
During the civil war the north had many advantages to their favor. For one, they had a high population: the larger population translates to a larger army. It had a big industrial base; this was their primary advantage given that they were to manufacture weapons that were very instrumental in the war. Economy wise the north also had a lot of money: this helped them to fund the war. With a good transport system they were able to supply their army and weapons to the battle zones.
The north grew food crops as opposed to the south that did cash crops in the farm plantations. This helped in feeding the army well since there was food security. The south had some advantages as well most of the battlefields were in their own territory a land that they knew pretty well. They also had better generals even though the northern numbers overpowered them.
