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Explain why Pastor Weeks thinks that teaching a slave to read only "leads to trouble."

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Final answer:

Pastor Weeks thought teaching slaves to read would cause trouble by making them unmanageable and inclined toward freedom, a belief that reflected broader fears among slaveholders and was enshrined in laws against slave literacy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Pastor Weeks believes that teaching a slave to read-only leads to trouble because he thinks it would make slaves unmanageable and of no value to their masters. This ideology was rooted in the fear that literate slaves would become discontented and seek freedom, potentially inciting rebellion and insurrection. Weeks' perspective was shared by many slaveholders who saw the education of slaves as a threat to the institution of slavery, as literacy would give them access to ideas and knowledge that could lead to a questioning of their status and ultimately, to a desire for freedom. The historical context of these beliefs can be traced back to laws such as those enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, prohibiting the teaching of slaves to read and write except for the use of figures, to prevent dissatisfaction and rebellion.

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