The Meaning of Freedom: The Church Tally Portnoi and Libby McKown

Article Thesis

• In “The Meaning of Freedom,” Eric Foner argues that following emancipation, African Americans strived to realize freedom by gaining control over all aspects of their lives: they stabilized their families, founded independent churches, established community organizations free from white influence, sought economic independence, and asserted their rights by becoming politically active. Through these efforts, antebellum free African American and Freedmen communities were consolidated and expanded to form the foundation of modern African American society.

Church Thesis

• Following emancipation, the church remained a focal point of African American life while being transformed and consolidated as African Americans established independent churches free from white influence.

Separated from white churches

Established completely independent black churches

Churches: centers of community life

Ministers thrust into political leadership

Religion transformed: “chosen people” Identity

Bibliography

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