Answer
Specific things that surprise about the legal restrictions on African Americans in the antebellum period were;
• Blacks in the southern parts who were free continued to live under slavery
• Freed African American actively participated in the American society like joining soldiers
• Free blacks purchased slaves that were relatives
• African Americans also participated in attaining freedom of others
- Slaves could not marry under the southern law
Step-by-step explanation
During this period slavery and cotton were the main drivers of the southern economy. The slaves were undergoing arbitrary power abuse from the whites. Through coping family structures and community networks slaves developed a way of accommodating their conditions. Christianity and songs also helped slaves to develop a solace. Slaves utilized the idea of paternalism to find chances in the system and earn some freedom and autonomy.