This paper explains that despite the fact that by about 1800, every state north of Delaware abolished
slavery; the south
grew far more partial to their slavery-run economy. The author points out that although the free black population rose from eight
percent to thirteen percent of the African-American population, most of the free blacks lived in the northern states where they had much success setting up black schools,
churches and communities but still experienced many limitations such as not being permitted a U.S. Passport, work for the government, claims on public lands or sitting next to white people in church. The paper relates that, after the Civil War, newly freed African-Americans started to act on their freedom, which meant the ability to move around hence the reuniting of families, the chance to open schools and churches and the opportunity to interact in politics.