How Did The Civil War Affect African Americans

The Civil War and Reconstruction era could easily be seen as a revolution considering it brought about significant change in American history. These acts of change specifically impacted African Americans freedom and their role in society. Africans were granted their freedom, right to vote, and own property. Hover this new “ freedom ‘ and opportunities were not much greater than before when slavery existed. Despite Reconstruction efforts African Americans faced even more discrimination than ever before.

A political change that emerged from the Civil War was the fact that African Americans were granted citizenship. The 14th amendment provided this new establishment and Africans Americans were permitted life, liberty, property and under the protection of law (Constitution). However this new addition to the Constitution was not favored in the south. Southern leaders passed laws that implemented literacy tests, voting fees, and other requirements to disregard the progress federal government has made. Often times, African Americans found themselves frustrated and discouraged as they continued to be denied their rights (Broderick and Meir). Many acts were passed such as the Civil Rights Act of 1875, where congress proposed crime for any individual to deny full and equal rights to the African
After being emancipated slaves were granted little to no help from the government. Congress Established the Freedman's Bureau which distributed no la and no money, but only bare necessities like food and clothing. Many African Americans were forced into tenant farming as a result, which was not much better than their previous status. This led to “ Black Codes” in the south which restored the pre-emancipation system. African Americans had curfews, labor contracts and land restrictions that owners could control. The defiance of the south ultimately conducted to