Impact Of Reconstruction On African American Education

After the Civil War, a war fought over slavery, the country remained in turmoil. The federal government immediately began reconstructing the South by establishing a bureau, new amendments, as well as other ways to aid the South and the freedmen. The federal government enacted three new amendments,which freed the slaves, made them citizens, and granted them the right to vote. One significant goal was to establish economic and social opportunities for the freedmen. After the freedmen were freed, they also had to become a part of America’s economic system and pursue life, liberty, and happiness. Additionally, black Americans desired the ability to vote freely. The extent to which the goal to establish education for black Americans succeeded during

Of the groups that supported black education, many of them were religious, in addition, many of the schools founded during the time were Christian theology schools. Black Americans had found faith, community, and support in Christianity and, once they were freed from slavery, they wanted to understand the word of God even further. A free African American woman said that she and other slaves were read the Bible and only read the parts that encouraged their obedience by her master’s wife. Once they were freed, however, they were eager and determined to learn more about the Bible and Christianity (Henry). This is just one example of how a group of black Americans were motivated to learn how to read. They wanted to learn how to read so they could read the Bible for themselves and interpret it in their own way. Black Americans being Christians also helped them gain support from white Christians who could financially support their education. After the Civil War, black Americans began to organize their own churches with the help of religious groups and these churches promoted academic growth. “Their growth was enhanced by the establishment of colleges with the assistance of white religious bodies. Many of these historically black colleges were seminaries for the training of ministers and teachers” (Seraile). White Christian groups were

For example, the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was a violent hate group that developed after the Civil War that targeted black and Democratic voters and politicians. “They also generally believed in the innate inferiority of blacks… and resented the rise of former slaves to a status of civil equality and… positions of political power. Thus, the Klan became an illegal organization committed to destroying the Reconstruction governments” (Ku Klux Klan). The KKK would resort to incredibly violent measures, such as murder, to prevent freedmen from having a voice. Congress knew of the horrors of the KKK and they tried to stop the KKK, but found it incredibly difficult. Thus, they enacted the 15th Amendment. “In 1869 Congress initiated the 15th Amendment to the Constitution… but the defeat of a version with fewer loopholes provided additional proof that the influence of the Radicals was waning” (Reconstruction). Despite efforts of the federal government, it was difficult to change the mind of a nation set in its ways. Since there were no additions that prevented loopholes, Southern states found many ways to prevent black Americans from voting other than violence, such as literacy tests rigged against black Americans. When Congress denied a more supportive 15th amendment, they opened