One of the policies that black leaders fought for was the granting of land to blacks following the Civil War. Freedman saw "land represented as their chance to farm for themselves, to have an independent life. It represented compensation for generation of travail and bondage" (438). Although this demand has strong logical backing in that once freed, black farmers should have equal legal status as white, the reality of the situation did not support such a reformation. The general feeling of race within the northern landscape was very mixed, despite the fight for emancipation; Northerners still saw themselves as the superiors of the black population. Therefore, black leaders were not able to gain strong land-rights for African-American throughout the west. However, the government did relent to giving out equitable land rights to African-Americans during the mass-migration to the West; this was one of the impetus that spawned the greater push for African-Americans to go to the American plains. One of the most important victories of the black leaders during Reconstruction was the promotion of African-American education. Blacks "hungered for the knowledge in books that had been permitted only to white" (454). Black leaders fought for the established of the Freedman Bureau which helped to found over four thousands schools during the Reconstruction period. The government agreed to fund these efforts as a show of good will towards the African-American population. Education became one of the greatest boons to the freed blacks...
Black leaders and their white allies realized the importance of education, especially at the higher education level. They realized this dream by convincing congress to grant chartering and funding to several exclusive African-American colleges. Thus, even during the Reconstruction era, leaders of the African-American movement were educated enough to hold their own within the political arena. Education was one of the most successful alternatives that black leaders presented during the 19th century. It also proves to be one of the longest lasting policies of achievement during this era, as its enduring consequence was a strong knowledge populace that could stand up for future generations of African-Americans.
Reconstruction After Civil War The liberation declaration in 1863 freed African-Americans in rebel states, and after the Civil War, the Thirteenth Amendment liberated all U.S. slaves wherever they were. As a result, the mass of Southern blacks now faced the complicatedness which Northern blacks had confronted that of a free people bounded by many hostile whites. One freedman, Houston Hartsfield Holloway, wrote, "For we colored people did not know how to
" The more the freedmen resumed the habits and postures of slaves, the better the planters were able to accept the new system. Thus reconstruction even with all the good intentions of some people was still a major failure. It had failed to bring the kind of peace and freedom for blacks that it was intended to. Since the blacks had become more or less accustomed to being treated as chained
Reconstruction and Black America According to Foner In spite of the fact that African-Americans were largely at the center of the ideals in conflict during the Civil War, history would largely overlook their experiences in the aftermath of this sustained and bloody conflict. The era known as Reconstruction would be far more frequently described according to White experiences in the succeeding years. Eric Foner's 2002 text Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863-1877,
Civil Rights Movement Civil rights since 1954 with special reference to California's role A growing Cause, 1776-1865 The Declaration of Independence asserted that "all men have been created equal," as well as in 1788, the U.S. Constitution presupposed to "secure the blessings of liberty" towards the United States citizens. These rights as well as liberties, nevertheless, had been meant just for white individuals of property. The actual Founding Fathers by no means thought
While it is true that this bureau did a fair amount of work initially in improving such conditions, the effects were not long lived nor nearly as effective as they had been hoped and expected by many, former slaves and white reformers alike (Sage 2007). The idea of Reconstruction was far from settled when the Bureau was set up, and Lincoln's assassination shortly thereafter caused even greater upheaval in
Robert E. Lee was also an important general responsible for commanding the Northern Virginia regiment of the confederate army. Lee was interesting in that even though he was a confederate commander he was believed be against slavery. Lincoln's beliefs about America are forever engrained on the national psyche. Speeches such as the Gettysburg Address are still quoted and reflects the intent of the founding fathers. The Gettysburg Address states, "Four
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