Southerners gave several reasons for the use of slavery, yet often these reasons were not supported from all the southerners. During this period of history, “American freedom was anything but simple” (Teicher and Robinson 12). History only partially shows the truth. The true story of African Americans can be found in “their crucial roles in establishing black churches, the Underground Railroad, and other key institutions. The impact of the slave trade upon other immigrants, Southerners, and African Americans can be seen in life today.