Freedom Suits

Freedom suits were legal cases brought by enslaved or formerly enslaved Black people in the United States, primarily before the Civil War, to assert their legal right to freedom. These lawsuits challenged their status as slaves, often arguing they had been illegally enslaved or were entitled to freedom due to reasons like birthplace, manumission, or breach of legal procedure. The suits were a way for individuals to seek emancipation through the courts. They played a significant role in the struggle against slavery and the recognition of legal rights for Black people.