Slavery had been in abolition in the north since Independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Although Slavery had been abolished in the north as soon as the nation became independent and there were may freemen in the nation at that time, they were not too well off.
Most American blacks were in slums like the Harlem.
They had less rights, often could not vote and had to do menial labor in the north only and would constantly live in fear of being taken to the south and sold like a slave.
There were also laws preventing southern slaves from running to the north for freedom.