Answer
Specific things that surprise about the legal restrictions on African Americans in the antebellum period were;
• Blacks in the southern parts who were free continued to live under slavery
• Freed African American actively participated in the American society like joining soldiers
• Free blacks purchased slaves that were relatives
• African Americans also participated in attaining freedom of others
- Slaves could not marry under the southern law
Explanation
During this period slavery and cotton were the main drivers of the southern economy. The slaves were undergoing arbitrary power abuse from the whites. Through coping family structures and community networks slaves developed a way of accommodating their conditions. Christianity and songs also helped slaves to develop a solace. Slaves utilized the idea of paternalism to find chances in the system and earn some freedom and autonomy.
He believed in 2 things which might help you. I don't really know what term you are looking for, but here are the two things he brought to the table.
1. He was very concerned about states rights believing that the states should have the balance of power shifted to them.
2. He believed that domestic policy had to be addressed rather than war and terrorism which is what Bush emphasized.
He was accused of being more of a socialist than a federalist (which might even be true). You could call him a social democrat.
