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Difficulty: EasyBlack Institution Building: Churches, Fraternal Orders, and the Black Press

The excerpt below is from the preamble to the Articles of Association of the Free African Society of Philadelphia, founded in 1787:

'We, the free Africans and their descendants, of the City of Philadelphia... do agree, for the benefit of each other, to advance one shilling in silver monthly... to be applied towards the relief of the widows and orphans, and for the assistance of the sick and distressed...'

Based on the excerpt, which of the following best describes the primary function of this early Black mutual aid society?

  1. To provide community-funded social welfare and mutual support to members in times of needAnswer
  2. B
    To operate strictly as a spiritual institution focused on religious worship rather than economic aid
  3. C
    To coordinate the immediate emigration of free Black citizens to West African colonies
  4. D
    To act as a branch of white-led charities, relying on them for financial decisions

Answer

To provide community-funded social welfare and mutual support to members in times of need
The correct answer is correct because the preamble of the Free African Society outlines a system of cooperative dues ('one shilling in silver monthly') dedicated to supporting community members experiencing hardship, such as sickness, death of a spouse, or orphanage. This highlights the central role of early Black mutual aid societies in providing essential social safety nets.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the text of the preamble to identify the activities and goals of the Free African Society.
The text mentions contributing monthly dues ('one shilling') for the 'relief of the widows and orphans' and the 'assistance of the sick and distressed.'
This helps determine the practical functions of the organization.
2
Relate these activities to the broader historical context of early Black institution building.
Providing financial relief to sick members, widows, and orphans constitutes mutual aid and community-funded social welfare.
Connecting the text to historical terms allows us to select the correct description of the institution's role.

Key Concept

Early Black mutual aid societies were self-governing, community-funded institutions designed to provide economic security, social welfare, and mutual assistance in the face of systemic discrimination.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Black Institution Building: Churches, Fraternal Orders, and the Black Press

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