Why do you think that conditions for African Americans, both free and

enslaved, became harsher as the nineteenth century progressed?

The conditions for African Americans, both free and

enslaved, became harsher as the nineteenth century progressed because there is declined in the spirit of American Revolution. This revolution persuade many states to gradually discontinue slavery, while also enjoining slaveholders to voluntarily free the slaves. After the declined in the American revolution the United States government forced harsher restrictions on the black populace which includes the enslaved and the free.

There were several reasons why conditions for African Americans became harsher as the nineteenth century progressed.

First, an important reason was the fact that, during this time period, the divisions between the North and the South intensified. As a result, Southerners became more interested in protecting the "tradition" of slavery. This led to the passage of harsher laws, such as the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.

Moreover, as time passed, the ideas of freedom and equality of the Revolutionary War faded, which meant that less states were willing to voluntarily end slavery or improve the conditions of enslaved people.

Finally, as the century progressed, white men were able to gain more rights and more freedom, generally improving their situation and that of the country. However, as slaves remained the same, the distance between the rights and lifestyle of both groups became even larger.