Unfinished Business
Unfinished Business
O. D. R.
HIS 204
D. R.
November 09, 2012
Unfinished Business
Since the end of the Civil War, African Americans have fought for equal rights and equal treatment. The African American community has been a part of America’s woven tapestry and to this day, are still longing for a day where hate and bigotry become things of the past. However; in spite of their best efforts, there exists an equal share of both hatred and bigotry in today’s society. This paper will show how African Americans are still working to be seen as equals.
During the Civil War, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Since this action was implemented during the war, slaves were not entirely set free. “Because the proclamation did not apply to any of the loyal slave states..., military victory was the only way for these ideas to take effect throughout the nation.” (Bowles, 2011) Once the South surrendered at Appomattox in 1865, the President was able to fully invoke freedom from slavery. The Civil War was fought for several reasons, but one of the most important was the South’s fight to preserve their slave based economy. Just as the war had ended, a whole new battleground was about to be embarked upon.
The actions taken in the post-war era would be the beginning of equal rights for former slaves. Even with the assassination of President Lincoln, Republicans implemented the first of three amendments to the U. S. Constitution. In December of 1865, the 13th Amendment abolished slavery and made it illegal. Three years later, the 14th Amendment was passed thus allowing all citizens, born in the United States, to be seen as naturalized citizens, including ex-slaves. Finally, in 1870, the 15th Amendment afforded every citizen, regardless of race or color, the right to vote. These three amendments were established to legally implement former slaves, and their future decedents, status as American
O. D. R.
HIS 204
D. R.
November 09, 2012
Unfinished Business
Since the end of the Civil War, African Americans have fought for equal rights and equal treatment. The African American community has been a part of America’s woven tapestry and to this day, are still longing for a day where hate and bigotry become things of the past. However; in spite of their best efforts, there exists an equal share of both hatred and bigotry in today’s society. This paper will show how African Americans are still working to be seen as equals.
During the Civil War, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Since this action was implemented during the war, slaves were not entirely set free. “Because the proclamation did not apply to any of the loyal slave states..., military victory was the only way for these ideas to take effect throughout the nation.” (Bowles, 2011) Once the South surrendered at Appomattox in 1865, the President was able to fully invoke freedom from slavery. The Civil War was fought for several reasons, but one of the most important was the South’s fight to preserve their slave based economy. Just as the war had ended, a whole new battleground was about to be embarked upon.
The actions taken in the post-war era would be the beginning of equal rights for former slaves. Even with the assassination of President Lincoln, Republicans implemented the first of three amendments to the U. S. Constitution. In December of 1865, the 13th Amendment abolished slavery and made it illegal. Three years later, the 14th Amendment was passed thus allowing all citizens, born in the United States, to be seen as naturalized citizens, including ex-slaves. Finally, in 1870, the 15th Amendment afforded every citizen, regardless of race or color, the right to vote. These three amendments were established to legally implement former slaves, and their future decedents, status as American
References: Bowles, M.(2011). A History of the United States Since 1865, San Diego, CA: Bridge point Education, Inc., https://content.ashford.edu.booksAUHIS.204.11.2/CHAPTER1 Cox-Richardson, H Du Bois, D. G. (1993, September). Understanding the legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois. Emerge, 1-62. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/230823599/fulltext/13A176DF7AC497C5AA1/1?accountid=32521 Foner, E Jonas, G. (2005). Freedom’s sword: The NAACP and the struggle against racism in America, 1909–1969. New York: Routledge. Loevy, R. D. (1997). The Civil Rights Act of 1964: The passage of the law that ended racial segregation. Albany: State University of New York Press, p.159. Scheeren, W. (2000). Invention of cotton gin. History Articles, Retrieved from http://ehistory.osu.edu/world/articles/ArticleView.cfm?AID=31 Wells, A Williams, C. (2011). African Americans and World War I. Africana Age, African & African Diasporan Transformations in the 20th Century, Retrieved from http://exhibitions.nypl.org/africanaage/essay-world-war-i.html