The Practice of Freedom

Education

Legalization

Aid

Resource Management

By isolating themselves from others to avoid further emotional pain.

By creating new kinship bonds and support networks within their communities.

By accepting their fate and giving up on the idea of family.

By refusing to participate in community activities.

Sending letters through the postal service.

Placing ads and inquiries in newspapers.

Hiring private investigators.

Using telegraph services.

Enslaved people were considered property and lacked legal rights.

Slaveholders believed that marriage would lead to rebellion.

Religious ceremonies were prohibited for enslaved people.

There was a shortage of officials to perform marriages.

Providing financial investments for business ventures.

Offering legal assistance and educational opportunities.

Granting land ownership exclusively to veterans.

Facilitating emigration to other countries.

Distributing land to formerly enslaved people.

Providing medical care to those in need.

Overseeing elections in the Southern states.

Establishing schools and educational programs.

To promote industrial development in the South.

To help formerly enslaved people transition to freedom.

To oversee the construction of new railroads.

To manage diplomatic relations with foreign countries.

Distributing rations of food and clothing.

Recognizing marriages that were not legally binding under slavery.

Building schools for African American children.

Managing confiscated lands and properties.

It provided financial assistance for travel expenses only.

It helped locate and reconnect separated family members.

It offered legal advice on marriage contracts.

It established orphanages for children who could not find their parents.

1861

1865

1877

1880