Freedom in America History Before and Immediately After the Civil War

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Freedom in American History
A Definition of Freedom
Americans identify with freedom, which represents autonomy, individual liberty, and equality. The nation's core principle has expanded to incorporate more people over time. American freedom was selectively granted to whites throughout the antebellum era. Property, self-determination, and political engagement were vital to this freedom (Williams et al. 187). The development of freedom in America before the Civil War reflects the intricate relationship between systemic injustices and societal values. While some had full rights and liberties, enslaved African Americans suffered. They were excluded from property ownership, self-determination, and political agency, revealing a paradox of freedom for some and denial for others.
This chosen freedom primarily benefited whites. This privilege peaked when they could own property, choose their fates, and engage in politics. This freedom was limited by its exclusions and defined by its inclusions. The institutionalized denial of fundamental rights to enslaved African Americans highlighted the contrasts in American culture. Thus, pre-Civil War American freedom encompassed the ideals of autonomy and individual liberty and the brutal reality of structural inclusions. This chosen independence would spark a generation of debate and reevaluation of the nation's values.
Freedom and Enslavement Before the Civil War
The concept of freedom