ipl-logo

US Government Help Or Hinder The Progress Of African Americans Between 1865 And 1941

1899 Words8 Pages

Did the US government help or hinder the progress of African Americans between 1865 and 1941? According to Thesaurus.com (2017), help is defined as, ‘to give or provide what is necessary to accomplish a task or satisfy a need; contribute strength or means to; render assistance to; cooperate effectively with; aid; assist’. On the other hand, hinder is defined as, ‘to cause delay, interruption, or difficulty in; hamper; impede’. In this essay, I will analyse the role that the American government played in both helping and hindering the progress of black Americans between 1865 and 1941 Two years prior to 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by Abraham Lincoln, declared that ‘all persons held as slaves within any part of a state … thenceforward …show more content…

These alone ensure the Civil and political rights, the abolishment of slavery and lastly the forbade of discrimination within society (although it continued). Having said that, the government's failure to implement the amendments lead to the harsh treatment of AA as there were acts of violence occurring throughout the period, from the KKK terrorized not only AA but government officials as well as the lynching of numerous AA. Although for a brief period during reconstruction, the social injustice faced from the state and the hate groups like the KKK mellowed down, the compromise of 1877 led to the uprising and upbringing of more injustice as we saw the ratification of the civil rights bill not extending to individuals but the government and segregation being tolerated. Most importantly, there was decline in education throughout the period which meant that the AA could not improve upon themselves as they had a low quality of education as well as the struggle to read. Although the freedmen's bureau attempted to close this gap they were later refused funding which led to the ever expanding educational gap. Therefore, in my opinion the government hindered more than they helped within the period of 1865-1941 as they struggled to maintain their efforts of help after 1877, most evidently through the era from 1910-1941 as we saw no change in the rights or social status of the

Show More
Related
324 Words | 2 Pages

The passage of Reconstruction legislation, namely the Freemen’s Bureau Act, the Civil Rights Bill, the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments, and the First Reconstruction Act of 1867, gave African Americans greater economic and political rights, ultimately contributing to the Klan’s formation. First, as John Faragher stated, the establishment of the Freedmen’s Bureau in March 1865 entitled former slaves to benefits such as “food, clothing, and fuel.” (Out of Many, p. 364) Then in 1866, with the passing of the Civil Rights Bill and Fourteenth Amendment, “full citizenship rights” were granted to former slaves, according to Faragher. (Out of Many, p. 362)

Read More
1087 Words | 5 Pages

Civil rights has been an American focus since the American Civil War (1861-1865) was fought between the United States and the Confederate States, over the abolition of slavery and continues to be one of the most important movements. Although the Reconstruction Amendments banned slavery, gave former slaves citizenship, equal protection of laws and all men the right to vote, “Jim Crow Laws”, at the state level, enforced racial segregation in the southern states and continued into the mid 1900’s. In the late 1940’s to 1960’s the Civil Rights Movement reemerged. There have been many men, women and Presidents that greatly contributed to the civil rights movement, from Presidents Abraham Lincoln and the 13th Amendment, to Lyndon Johnson’s passing

Read More
1830 Words | 8 Pages

Maurice Willows: Unsung Hero of the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 During the early 1900s, African Americans continued their struggle for civil rights on a national scale with seemingly no definitive solution in sight. In the wake of one of the most violent race riots in American history, one man sought to overlook racial differences and the rules of his own organization to provide aid to those in need. Through the leadership of Maurice Willows during the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot, the American Red Cross compromised their mission enabling the organization to be the sole responder, provider of relief, and champion of African American rights. Maurice Willows’ decision to defy the tenets of the Red Cross made him an unsung hero who saved countless lives.

Read More
491 Words | 2 Pages

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.

Read More
858 Words | 4 Pages

History On September 22 1862, President Lincoln attempted to end slavery by issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. However, once free, African-Americans did not instantly gain the same rights as other free men. Almost a hundred years later, racism and Jim Crowe segregation were predominate within the United States. African-Americans had never gained the same legal rights of White men.

Read More
542 Words | 3 Pages

Shane Boutwell Tara Monica McCarthy HST 112 WI 25 October 2015 African American Change between 1865 and 1920 The African American community has had a long struggle in their battle for equality, fortunately after the civil war abolished slavery in the U.S and began the long road of rebuilding and equality. Not everyone agreed with the abolishment of slavery even after the war because for a long time it was a norm to own slaves, it was just a part of life at the time as the Confederate vice president Alexander H. Stephens referred to slavery as the “cornerstone” of southern life just as many of the southern plantation owners also thought like South Carolina plantation owner Thomas Drayton who said "We are fighting for home & liberty. " But when Abraham Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation in January of 1863,

Read More
856 Words | 4 Pages

The 1800’s were one of the most revolutionary times in the history of the United States. The slaves were recently emancipated, and there was a great amount of confusion regarding racial tension, and the reconstruction. Blacks were still struggling to find their place in the their newly found free society. The 14’th and 15’th amendments supported the freedom and citizenship, of blacks, but they still were treated as lesser beings. Anti-Black groups, such as the KKK, made everyday life for a black citizen a dangerous journey.

Read More
701 Words | 3 Pages

The Bureau could not provide African Americans with land, but it did contribute to education. Formerly enslaved African Americans were educated with the help of Northern charities. This was a positive outcome during

Read More
1236 Words | 5 Pages

African Americans face a struggle with racism which has been present in our country before the Civil War began in 1861. America still faces racism today however, around the 1920’s the daily life of an African American slowly began to improve. Thus, this time period was known by many, as the “Negro Fad” (O’Neill). The quality of life and freedom of African Americans that lived in the United States was constantly evolving and never completely considered ‘equal’. From being enslaved, to fighting for their freedom, African Americans were greatly changing the status quo and beginning to make their mark in the United States.

Read More
426 Words | 2 Pages

“We are here because of our love for democracy, because of our deep-seated belief that democracy transformed from thin paper to thick action, is the greatest form of government on Earth.” These famous words spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. demonstrated the change in America and how our actions helped the civil rights movement in its success in accomplishing equality amongst all Americans. Racism had always been an ongoing issue ever since anyone could remember. People became numb to the subject and adopted the norms. It was ignored until after WWII.

Read More
226 Words | 1 Pages

Everyone goes through rough or unstable times throughout their life. When I was younger my grandmothers both passed away, just one year apart. My mom always told me that everything happens for a reason and things are going to get better in the long run. Hardships can effect someone by affecting their state of stability.

Read More
1287 Words | 6 Pages

After the north had won the Civil War, the treatment of African Americans was on the rise. The Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments were passed, churches and schools were built, and the Freedman’s

Read More
473 Words | 2 Pages

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..

Read More
1464 Words | 6 Pages

During the late 1800s, because the South had been decimated by the end of the Civil War, .the Reconstruction Period was initiated to aid the South’s recovery. Although the Civil War did abolish slavery and unify the North and the South, the war not resolve racial prejudice, the South’s damage, and the African Americans’ economic instability. The Reconstruction Period was initiated in order to prevent economic instability and the structural ruin, because since slavery was abolished, and the South was completely dependent on slaves, therefore slaves could not work for the South to maintain the economy, and slaves also could not fix up the damages done to the structures done to the South during the war. By starting the Freedmen’s Bureau and passing

Read More
487 Words | 2 Pages

The Emancipation Proclamation was a presidential proclamation and executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. This one proclamation changed the federal legal status of about than 3 million enslaved people. In the designated areas of the South from the cages of slavery to the gates of freedom. It had an effect that as soon as a slave escaped the control of the Confederate government, by running away or through the help of federal troops, the slave will become legally free. Eventually it reached and freed all of the designated slaves.

Read More

More about US Government Help Or Hinder The Progress Of African Americans Between 1865 And 1941

Related Topics

Open Document