The Harsh Conditions Of African Americans During The Colonial Era
"Scholars estimate that close to 400,000 Africans were sold into slavery in North America. "(Micheal L.Hecht, Ronald L.Jackson II, Sidney A. Ribeau 2008) During the colonial period, African Americans primarily experienced enslavement and harsh labor on plantations, with limited rights and freedoms. In the beginning stages of the colonial period, African Americans were stripped from their families and homes to venture into the new world. On their journey, they endured harsh conditions such as being in chains, starved, contained nearby, and unsanitary conditions resulting in deaths. The slave trade, in contrast, to the Revolution put an end to slavery with the 13th Amendment. Millions of enslaved individuals were emancipated. Allowing African
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Soldiers faced harsh conditions such as extreme weather conditions, food and supply scarcity, injuries, or even death. They suffered through marches, sieges, and intense combat. Some even suffered from homesickness while away from their home and family. According to Heiser1988, At the same time, African American soldiers had to endure much worse as they faced discrimination, inequality, and the risk of being re-enslaved. Nonetheless, with the end of the Civil War came emancipation, the abolition of slavery through the 13th Amendment, the 14th Amendment allowed citizenship and equal protection under the law to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and the 15th Amendment prohibited the denial of voting rights based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Additionally, African Americans fought in major battles and campaigns, contributing to the Union victory. "The Civil War heavily impacted the country's manpower resources, with the Regular Army numbered around 15,000 officers and men. Nearly half of eligible men enlisted in the Union forces, with 2,336,942 white or colored men serving in the Union Army." (Rostker) African American soldiers played a crucial role in securing victory for the Union. Despite facing discrimination and unequal treatment, their bravery, and skills were prominent. Their contributions paved the way for improvements in civil rights and equality in the years that followed. African Americans played an important part in this war, not just for the country, but for their rights as citizens. “Facts to which we expect to call attention in this address seem to suggest that if the slaves had not fought for their freedom there probably would never have been a Civil War and consequently no freedom for the Negro, at least at the time he received it.”(Gordon -pg22) Furthermore, Frederick Douglass was a prominent abolitionist, writer, and orator who advocated for the abolition of
Soldiers faced harsh conditions such as extreme weather conditions, food and supply scarcity, injuries, or even death. They suffered through marches, sieges, and intense combat. Some even suffered from homesickness while away from their home and family. According to Heiser1988, At the same time, African American soldiers had to endure much worse as they faced discrimination, inequality, and the risk of being re-enslaved. Nonetheless, with the end of the Civil War came emancipation, the abolition of slavery through the 13th Amendment, the 14th Amendment allowed citizenship and equal protection under the law to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and the 15th Amendment prohibited the denial of voting rights based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Additionally, African Americans fought in major battles and campaigns, contributing to the Union victory. "The Civil War heavily impacted the country's manpower resources, with the Regular Army numbered around 15,000 officers and men. Nearly half of eligible men enlisted in the Union forces, with 2,336,942 white or colored men serving in the Union Army." (Rostker) African American soldiers played a crucial role in securing victory for the Union. Despite facing discrimination and unequal treatment, their bravery, and skills were prominent. Their contributions paved the way for improvements in civil rights and equality in the years that followed. African Americans played an important part in this war, not just for the country, but for their rights as citizens. “Facts to which we expect to call attention in this address seem to suggest that if the slaves had not fought for their freedom there probably would never have been a Civil War and consequently no freedom for the Negro, at least at the time he received it.”(Gordon -pg22) Furthermore, Frederick Douglass was a prominent abolitionist, writer, and orator who advocated for the abolition of