Andrew Johnson Argumentative Essay
Erica Davis
HI 202
Prof. Franklin
5 February 2015
During the late 1800s former slaves were considered to be free, but did this actually mean true freedom? Andrew Johnson would change the meaning of free. Limitations would be put on the African Americans’ freedom. African Americans and White Americans would never be equal. The former slaves would not be able to own land, and the term slave would be replaced with the term sharecropper. The Petition of Committee in Behalf of the Freedmen to Andrew Johnson was the freedmen’s prayer. The former slaves were given abandoned land. The people grew crops for their family on those lands and made a decent living. Andrew Johnson decided to take one of the few possessions the former slaves cherished. …show more content…
Ownership was a factor during the late 1800s. These former slaves were given land after being emancipated by the Thirteenth Amendment, only to have it taken away by Andrew Johnson in 1865 (Foner 566). This land was important to the freed African Americans. It is clear these people took pride in their land. The petition that was presented to Andrew Johnson stated, “This is our home, we have made these lands what they were,” (Foner 566). African Americans found pride in the land because this was the land they worked on, and once the former slaves received a privilege to hold ownership of the land, it was of great …show more content…
Former owners maintained control over the free African Americans. A Sharecropping Contract stated, “We furthermore bind ourselves to and with said Ross that we will do good work…We further agree that we will lose all lost time, or pay at the rate of one dollar per day,” (Foner 567). The sharecroppers were bound to the land owners by contract. This was not exactly freedom; it was slavery only in a more acceptable form. The land owners provided the sharecroppers with a part of the land and a place to live. These contracts were unfair and would continue to keep African Americans oppressed. The African American lives were drastically changed after the 13th amendment was passed. Former slaves acquired land before Andrew Johnson took this privilege away. African American families were able to devote more time to each other and their own land, (Foner 565). Many of these former slaves lived in poverty and would have to return to former plantation owners for labor, but the government would soon grant African Americans many rights. Former slaves were given the right to vote shortly after the abolishment of
HI 202
Prof. Franklin
5 February 2015
During the late 1800s former slaves were considered to be free, but did this actually mean true freedom? Andrew Johnson would change the meaning of free. Limitations would be put on the African Americans’ freedom. African Americans and White Americans would never be equal. The former slaves would not be able to own land, and the term slave would be replaced with the term sharecropper. The Petition of Committee in Behalf of the Freedmen to Andrew Johnson was the freedmen’s prayer. The former slaves were given abandoned land. The people grew crops for their family on those lands and made a decent living. Andrew Johnson decided to take one of the few possessions the former slaves cherished. …show more content…
Ownership was a factor during the late 1800s. These former slaves were given land after being emancipated by the Thirteenth Amendment, only to have it taken away by Andrew Johnson in 1865 (Foner 566). This land was important to the freed African Americans. It is clear these people took pride in their land. The petition that was presented to Andrew Johnson stated, “This is our home, we have made these lands what they were,” (Foner 566). African Americans found pride in the land because this was the land they worked on, and once the former slaves received a privilege to hold ownership of the land, it was of great …show more content…
Former owners maintained control over the free African Americans. A Sharecropping Contract stated, “We furthermore bind ourselves to and with said Ross that we will do good work…We further agree that we will lose all lost time, or pay at the rate of one dollar per day,” (Foner 567). The sharecroppers were bound to the land owners by contract. This was not exactly freedom; it was slavery only in a more acceptable form. The land owners provided the sharecroppers with a part of the land and a place to live. These contracts were unfair and would continue to keep African Americans oppressed. The African American lives were drastically changed after the 13th amendment was passed. Former slaves acquired land before Andrew Johnson took this privilege away. African American families were able to devote more time to each other and their own land, (Foner 565). Many of these former slaves lived in poverty and would have to return to former plantation owners for labor, but the government would soon grant African Americans many rights. Former slaves were given the right to vote shortly after the abolishment of