Runaway Slaves

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Some of the legal basis for treating people as property were the existing slaves and their children were grandfathered in when they abolished slavery. The treatment of salves varied. Many laws were tailored just to hinder slaves from freedom, from learning how to become free, and keeping their children from being born into slavery. Slaves were bought and sold or used to secure a personal debt (Holt & Barkley, 2000). Children and wives were also treated as property. When made it difficult for other salves was when they ran away. They fought not only with their bodies but with their minds and souls as well (Troutman, 2004). They would hide in a forest or visit other relatives on other plantations. Most of the runaway slaves did this because of

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