2. between about what longitude and latitude degrees does most of the connected united states fall?

To the nearest degree,
Between 25 N and 49 N (Latitude)
Between 67 W and 125 W (Longitude)
Source: Google Earth

If you exclude Alaska and Hawaii,
Most Northern Point: Angle, Minnesota, at 49º 23'N.
Most Southern Point: East Cape, Florida, at 25º 7'N.
Most Eastern Point: West Quoddy Head, Maine, at 66º 57'W.
Most Western Point: Cape Alva, Washington, at 124º 44'W.

African americans at the time just came out of slavery and needed money to provide for there families. so they joined for the money mainly.