The 1860s were a tumultuous time. From the election of an anti-slavery, republican president and his subsequent undoing, to a civil war tearing a nation in two, times were troublesome. Due to these times, many legislators took advantage of the times to make amendments to the country and solve some of the most pressing matters of the time. One of the issues that had been at the forefront for decades had been the rights of African Americans. Whether it be the abolitionists in the north, or the freed slaves in the south, many were clamoring for congress to figure out solutions.
I chose this topic because it is directly related to the African American history since 1865. After the end of civil war in 1865, there was a period of rebuilding and reuniting the United States. During this reconstruction period, there were three basic constitutional amendments that acted towards black people rights. Even though the purpose of reconstruction was to free slaves and give African American their rights as a human being, Black Codes, restrictive laws that control black people, passed under the administration of President Andrew Johnson. Also, southern whites did not accept the fact that colored people were getting a chance to vote and to be elected for political positions.
In the late nineteenth century, racial discrimination towards the so-called “colored people” was rampant. These “colored people” were the African-Americans. At that time, they were subjected to slavery and was viewed as the lesser being next to people with fair complexions. They were deprived of their civil and political rights and of the chance for higher education. Consequently, the African-Americans endured the hostility and violence towards them.
Then the slave trade became illegal in 1808 although slaves were still traded across the country. Then in 1865, the Civil War ended, stopping slavery completely, but this did not end all of the problems. This just created a era of confusion, and rebirth for african americans. People did not know how people would react,
Although slavery was declared over after the passing of the thirteenth amendment, African Americans were not being treated with the respect or equality they deserved. Socially, politically and economically, African American people were not being given equal opportunities as white people. They had certain laws directed at them, which held them back from being equal to their white peers. They also had certain requirements, making it difficult for many African Americans to participate in the opportunity to vote for government leaders. Although they were freed from slavery, there was still a long way to go for equality through America’s reconstruction plan.
It was rough for African Americans in the 1890’s, and though they tried to live a normal easy life they always had obstacles that got in the way. They had thought everything was going good for them with the 13th and 14th amendment being announced. Also The Emancipation Proclamation which stated, on January 1, 1863, "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free" was a speech that actually came out before the 13th and 14th amendment which was the whole reason why those amendments had came out. The 13th amendment stated that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction”. This was such a big deal since
For hundreds of years historians have debated about the most significant factor for the advancement of civil rights for African-Americans from 1880-1980. Prior to this, African-Americans were largely only slaves, particularly in the South as nearly 4 million black slaves were forced to do extensive labour there allowing them to have no freedom whatsoever. However, during the Civil War, President Lincoln stated all slaves “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free” as he issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. This abolished slave trade in the US and attempted to bring an end to the Civil War.
Segregation and Disfranchisement in the late 1800s In the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments of the Constitution, as well as the Civil Rights Act of 1875, African-Americans took huge strides towards gaining equality. Within the next year, all of these achievements were turned against them. African-American’s right to vote was stolen from them with unfair and unnecessary laws; their fundamental rights as citizens of the United States were stripped from them, creating setbacks that lasted for decades.
They had many more rights than they had before however they still experienced a large amount of hate. African Americans migrated during the Great Migration due to poor living conditions and treatment in the Southeast of the United States (Phillips 33) . “For many blacks, their departure from the South was a response to, and a defiance of, the coercions used to keep them bound to segregation” (Phillips 39). In the 1920’s, treatment of African Americans was different, blacks were able to do more such as getting a job however, some felt as though the hate they would get for it wasn 't worth it. Although, there would always be challenges that African Americans would have to face such as landowners supporting the passing of laws meant to control the mobility of blacks, limit their wages, and minimize their chance to purchase and own land (Phillips 33).
Conditions of African American between 1865-1900 The 13th Amendment of 1865 abolished slavery in the United States. The period between 1865 to 1900 was the transformative period for African Americans. It was very challenging for them because it was a period of transition from slavery to freedom. They fought with the society for equality as they were treated as inferior and they still suffer from racism. They also became victims of economic exploitation as it was difficult for them to find a job.
African Americans were belittled in this era; they were segregated in public areas from the whites, they were not allowed full voting rights, and their health care and public education was inferior to those of whites. Many reformers tried to end racism by having African Americans earn the respect of whites by working hard and earning money. But many others demanded equality and felt that they had nothing to prove to the whites. But although their efforts did not work at this point in time, it helped the development of many racial groups that helped end discrimination and bring equality to all those of color. James Madison would not support this reform as well; he did not see blacks as equally.
During the 19th century, black men did not have equal rights with white men because of discrimination and unfairness. By 1860 African Americans had unequal rights because they had minimal social rights compared to white men like not being able to go to school with white boys and not being able to eat at public restaurants. African Americans also had little political rights such as not being able to be a witness in court, holding public office, and only four states allowed African Americans to vote. African Americans had unequal political rights by 1860 because they were not able to be a witness in court, or hold public office, and only four states allowed black men to vote. Evidence from Nikki Taylor shows that only four states allowed black
Post Civil War, African Americans started to gain rights to gain rights, and soon gain rights equal to whites. While there were some people/things standing in their way (KKK, Black Codes), in the end they got what they needed; Equality. Many acts and laws were passed to aid the new rights now held by African Americans, as well as the numerous people willing to help. New Amendments were added to give African Americans rights after the war, all giving them some equal rights to whites. The first of the three added was the Thirteenth Amendment, it gave African Americans freedom from slave owners, and stated that no one could be kept as a slave in the U.S..
In the United States, there has been a long struggle for equal rights for all its citizens. In the late 18th century, The Founding Fathers did create a vastly different constitution than any other nations before. However, they did leave many unanswered questions about the role of women and minorities within the nation. Another important issue they did not address was the issue of slavery, leaving it for the next generation to tackle the questions, which was left unanswered until the late 19th century with the break out of the Civil War. The result of the Civil War did lead to the end of slavery in America, but it did not mean the end of unequal rights given to African Americans.
During this racially segregated time period in America, the black community was making strives to try and gain the rights that every white citizen had at this time. With many attempts comes many wins and failures. Some of the wins the black community had at this time period would be voting and general equality. The major failure though would be housing and schooling.
