It Took More Than Just a War to Change Slaves to Active Citizens of the United States

It took more than just a war to change slaves to active citizens of the United States

HIS 204 American History Since 1865

Topic: African Americans

As the Civil War came to an end, African Americans were under the impression that they were freed from slavery however it took more than just a war to change their position from being slaves to active citizens of the United States. During this period, I will discuss each event with its relevance on how it affected African American during the era from the 1900s to present time. I will also include facts from each identifying source that helped African American keep their faith in pursuing an unequal environment. In addition, these (8) events will help represent my paper to identify the shortfalls and the accomplishment that took place in supporting the reform of equality, solidarity in America.

In essence, I believe that it is imperative for every American to read the history and its significance on what brought this nation together. This history also lets us know and identifies to what extent people will go through to make a significant difference in order to bring change to what is right for the people's welfare. These events will give information to illustrate the changes from the beginning of the 1865 to present time.

The Black Codes

Black Solidarity and Racial Context: An Exploration of the Role of Black Solidarity in U.S. Cities William T. Hoston Journal of Black Studies , Vol. 39, No. 5 (May, 2009), pp. 719-731 Published by: Sage Publications, Inc. Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/40282592

I will be utilizing this source to give facts about how African American were still under control after the Civil War. Many African American suffered during this period because even though they were roaming the street freely, they were still suffering from poverty. Since most of them were uneducated, they could not obtain a job because they needed credentials to be able to work. Some business would not grant them jobs so they retorted be out in the street hoping to get a job. At the same time, white people consider them vagrants and so they were arrested by police.

Fourteenth Amendment

Jean West Mueller and Wynell Burroughs Schamel Reconstruction, the Fourteenth Amendment, and Personal Liberties OAH Magazine of History , Vol. 4, No. 1, The Reconstruction Era (Winter, 1989), pp. 60-66 Published by: Organization of American Historians Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25162640

This Amendment will help depict such law on how it influenced the African American public. The thirteenth, fourteenth and Fifteenth amendment are considered the Reconstruction amendments. However the fourteenth amendment was one of the multifaceted amendments and had no impact over time. This source will help me implement and identify its broad goal on how the civil rights Act was designed to validate that all citizens in the United States should be given benefits and equal rights.

Atlanta Compromise

Booker T. Washington: The Atlanta Compromise, September 18, 1895. (2003). In Ripples of Hope: Great American Civil Rights Speeches. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/entry/pershope/booker_t_washington_the_atlanta_compromise_september_18_1895

I will compare this source with The Black Codes source and depict on how the African American over came illiteracy and learned vocational trades to be more self- reliable and sufficient. At the same time, land was the primary mean of wealth and advancement however sharecropping was the only way to sustain sustenance. There was also concerns within the African American community on how sharecropping was a inefficient way to make a living which in turn they wanted to buy their own land but could not. That's when the Atlanta compromise came into affect supporting African American in education and business to overcome the endless cycle of sharecropping and debt.

African Americans at War

Lakins, L. L. (2002, Apr 26). `Climbing up to glory: A short history of african americans during the civil war and reconstruction'. Afro - American Red Star. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/369756120?accountid=32521

This source will give a snap shot on how African Americans exemplified themselves during and after the civil war. This will also identify the struggles they endured to sustain themselves during insufficient means. It was indeed overwhelming for the black communities however the government implemented assistance to help. This was also the gateway for the African American population on how the United States perceived their participation during their presence in the military. This source will put emphasis in surveying their continuing coexistence in struggles to work together within race indifference.

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