Final answer:
The primary motivators for slaves to convert to Christianity were the hope for liberation and salvation in the afterlife, and the formation of a supportive community within the church. Christianity provided a sense of empowerment and a unique cultural expression, as well as an opportunity for education and literacy, which was otherwise denied.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two biggest motivators from a slave's perspective to convert to Christianity were the hope for a better afterlife and salvation (A), and a sense of community and belonging (B).
The enslaved African Americans clung to the spiritual message of Christianity which offered hope of being freed from bondage and the promise of a just reward in the afterlife, contrasting the slaveholders’ emphasis on obedience and eternal servitude.
Community-wise, the Black Church became a central institution, providing a much-needed sense of belonging and a platform to express faith and cultural identity in the face of oppression.
Moreover, the access to education and literacy (C), although highly restricted, served as an act of defiance and a means to engage with the larger society.
Christianity became a path through which some slaves could learn to read, as Bible reading was sometimes part of plantation religious services meant to maintain control.
Religion played a dual role, functioning as a means of social control for some and a source of empowerment and resistance for others.
The African Methodist Episcopal Church, for example, was a significant step in the creation of an independent Black Protestant community.