Question

What role did black people play in seeking to end peonage? What role did the federal government play?

Answer 1

Peonage, also termed as debt servitude or debt slavery, was a system where a worker was compelled by his employer to pay off his debt with work. It occurred in various forms. In few cases, the workers were advanced some pay or initial transportation costs by the employers, and they willingly agreed to work without pay in order to pay it off. The role of black people was very less in ending peonage due to the fear as they felt any participation in fighting peonage will result in their killing. However the role of Congress was very active; however faced hurdles and failed a couple of times. But finally on March 2, 1867 Congress passed the Peonage Abolition Act