Question

Why did slaves learn to read if it was outlawed by slave codes?

A. To communicate secretly and organize resistance.
B. To gain favor with their owners.
C. To entertain themselves during leisure time.
D. To facilitate better communication among themselves.

Answer 1

Several factors motivated enslaved Africans to learn to read, such as defiance against the explicit prohibition, better communication, and social integration. Some slave owners held informal learning sessions, defying the law.

Step-by-step explanation:

Several factors motivated enslaved Africans to learn to read, despite it being outlawed by slave codes. Firstly, literacy was an act of defiance as it went against the explicit prohibition. Secondly, it served as a means of doing their assigned tasks and communicating better with each other. Finally, it was a way for African Americans to socialize and integrate into the larger society. Additionally, some more benevolent slave owners defied the law and held informal learning sessions for their slaves, further promoting literacy among them.