When, Where, and how did folk spiritual develop? What are it’s key characteristics?In what context did the arranged spiritual emerge and what were it’s distinguishing characteristics? In what ways were these two forms alike? How do they differ?

The folk spirituals was created by he African American slaves at the slave plantations during the slavery (approximately 18th century). Folk spirituals were mostly musical, it was created through the combination of their native African rhythms, religious hymns, and work songs.
The characteristics of folk spiritual included singing, clapping, dancing, and chanting
This was a way the slaves emotionally express themselves outside their masters religion and culture without getting in trouble, they did this by singing christian songs, that had underlying meaning that related to their African culture . They also used folk spirituals to keep their African roots (language and culture) alive.
Both forms were demonstrated through singing, and clapping. The slaves related to the stories of the Old testament, thus the drew from it and mixed it with the African element.

Explanation:

Slaves were not allowed to speak their own language, it went as far as them being given new (christian) names, in order to strip them away from their African heritage. As a way to keep their heritage folk spiritual was created. In this way slaves could maintain their heritage without being punished.