How did African Americans become free? Some slaves bought their own freedom from their
owners, but this process became rarer and rarer as the 1800s progressed.
Many slaves became free through manumission, the voluntary emancipation
of a slave by a slaveowner. Manumission was sometimes offered because
slaves had outlived their usefulness or were held in special favor by their
masters. The offspring of interracial relations were often set free. Some slaves
were set free by their masters as the abolitionist movement grew.
Occasionally, slaves were freed during the master's lifetime, and more often,
through the master's will.
Which of the following options BEST supports the idea that many
enslaved people who were set free were probably old?
Some slaves bought their own freedom from their owners, but this process became rarer and
rarer as the 1800s progressed.
Some slaves were set free by their masters as the abolitionist movement grew.
Occasionally, slaves were freed during the master's lifetime, and more often, through the
master's will.
Many slaves became free through manumission, the voluntary emancipation of a slave by a
slaveowner.