How did newly freed slaves react to the emancipation proclamation?

Answer 1

It served as a beacon. They felt that even if it did fail, it still stood as a promise for future improvement.

Answer 2

Many thought that it would be like heaven. But, while working as slaves they had no real idea of what freedom would be like.A free person from a less-developed, less-educated background, when captivated, wouldn't know what freedom meant.

However, after gaining their freedom, many migrated to the cities, looking for work. Others remained on the farms where they had been slaves, and received wages for the work they performed, using those wages to pay for food and clothing, etc. In many cases, their living conditions did not improve, and their work hours did not change.

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The answer above is partially incorrect. Many slaves could not get employed and lived much worse lives than they did under a slaveholder. (Even if they did reach the north)

Answer 3

By the time that slavery ended, there were many free African Americans. When they heard of the end of slavery, they were happy, that their people were free and were not going to be treated as badly as they had been.

Answer 4

uh, pretty relieved i would have guessed. probably partying all night cos lots of the slaves were killed...

i would think "confused" at most, what do u do, where do u go, this land they work on is all they know, not like the local walmart was hiring, a lot stayed with the plantation owners/on the land which contributes to a lot of former slaves inheriting land and to this date have passed it on through generationsthe slaves that were the most happy were probably in Africa because the demand for slaves lowered therefore the kidnapping & all the other ways they aquired them, ended/lowered, as wellto date some slavery still exists In Africa so lets truely end slavery and find out

Answer 5

they were so glad they did not have to be slaves, but to be free.

Answer 6

they were...... basically happy because we were trying to help them.