Most people seem to think that since the North predominantly consisted of non-slave States while the South predominantly consisted of slave States that the North was less racist than the South. This is far, far from the truth. It wasn't true before or during the Civil War and it isn't true now.
Prior to the Civil War, black freedmen in many - if not most - of the States in the South could own property including - GASP! - other slaves. I specify black freedmen here because there were different laws in various States that distinguished between black, white, and Indian (Native American) freedmen. Oh, and there were enumerated a not insignificant number of living white and Native American freedmen in the 1850 census. And, also in that census, there were hundreds if not thousands of black freedmen listed as slave-owners at that time.
In the North, however, a number of States prohibited black freedmen from owning property or even permanently residing in their State - many even decades after the ratification of the 13th Amendment. In fact, Illinois is a pretty good example at which to look for such behavior.
Prior to the Civil War, black freedmen in many - if not most - of the States in the South could own property including - GASP! - other slaves. I specify black freedmen here because there were different laws in various States that distinguished between black, white, and Indian (Native American) freedmen. Oh, and there were enumerated a not insignificant number of living white and Native American freedmen in the 1850 census. And, also in that census, there were hundreds if not thousands of black freedmen listed as slave-owners at that time.
In the North, however, a number of States prohibited black freedmen from owning property or even permanently residing in their State - many even decades after the ratification of the 13th Amendment. In fact, Illinois is a pretty good example at which to look for such behavior.
