-
The Bureau of Freedmen
The federal government too on the responsibility of providing assistance in work relief, education, and medical care. Ultimately the bureau failed due to corruption amongst its agents.1 Photo: Waud, "The Freedmen's Bureau" Harpers Weekly. July 25, 1868. 1 Fleming, Walter, "Freedmen's Bureau Documents," Digital Public
Library of America. (3-4). -
Amendment XIII
Slavery was abolished within the United States.1 While President Lincoln was the catalyst for emancipation, he did not live to see the amendment signed into law.2 Sketch: "Behind the Bullet: 13th Amendment." 1 National Archives Website, "The Constitution: Amendments 11-27."
(2).
2 OpenStax, US History. OpenStax. (453-454). -
"Swing Around the Circle"
President Johnson gave a series of speeches designed to hinder support for civil rights. He was of the belief that equal rights for freedmen went to extremes because whites were still supreme to blacks.1 Cartoon: Thomas Nast, "King Andy." November 2, 1866.
gettyimages.com 1 OpenStax, US History. OpenStax. (459-460). -
Amendment XIV
Citizenship was granted to all persons born in the United States, including freed slaves. States are forbidden from depriving rights of any person without due process. This expands civil rights protection to all Americans.1 Cartoon: The NewsTalkers, "14th Amendment." 1 Library of Congress, "14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
(1). -
Amendment XV
All citizens of the United States cannot be denied based on race, color, or previous slavery.1 The chasm between the blacks and the Democratic Party was widening as it became known that every Democrat in Congress voted against this amendment.2 Cartoon: "Shoo Fly, Don't Bodder Me." Harpers Weekly. March 1870. 1 National Archives Website, "The Constitution: Amendment 11-27."
(3).
2 Union Congressional Republican Committee, "Suffrage and Civil Rights.." (1). -
Poll Tax and Literacy Test
The language of the XV Amendment was broad1 which allowed states such as Mississippi to modify their constitutions to include literacy tests and poll taxes in an effort to prevent blacks from voting.2 Photo: Lee, Russell, New York Times. Library of Congress. 1 OpenStax, US History. OpenStax. (462-463). 2 Secretary of State of Mississippi Website, "The Constitution of the State of Mississippi Adopted November 1, A.D. 1890." (240-241). -
Plessy v Ferguson
This case, heard by the Supreme Court of Louisiana, is regarding the constitutionality of separate railway cares for white and black passengers. It established the precedent of separate but equal facilities for blacks and whites.1 Photo: Wikimedia Commons. Marker in New Orleans where Homer
Plessy was arrested in 1892. 1 Library of Congress, "Plessy v Ferguson." (538-551). -
Formation of the NAACP
The NAACP first began with the work of social justice reformers such as W.E.B. DuBois, from the North, and Ida B. Wells, from the South. Primarily made up of middle class blacks, they used the courts and the political system to fight for civil rights laws already in existence.1 Photo: Office of Archives and History, "The My Hero Project NAACP
March." 1 UTA History Department "Segregation and Civil Rights Advocates." -
The Great Migration
Blacks from the South began to migrate to the North in search of jobs, and freedom. Many who migrated were the creative population from the South and included musicians, poets and filmmakers.1 Photo: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Photographs and Print Division. "The Negro in Chicago:A Study of Race Relations and Race Riots." 1 Public Broadcasting System, The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow, "The
Great Migration (1900-1970)." -
Guinn v United States
Voting officials refused to allow a college educated black man to take a literacy test resulting in voting officials being prosecuted for fraud. The justices not only affirmed the decision but went further by eliminating the grandfather clause.1 Photo: NAACP Collection, Manuscript Division. "Guinn v United
States, June 3, 1913." 1 Oklahoma Historical Society, "Guinn v United States (1915). -
NAACP Silent Protest
In response to the East St. Louis Massacre, where almost six thousand blacks were forced to leave their burning homes, the NAACP organized The Silent Protest Parade in New York City.1 Photo: Underwood and Underwood, N.Y. New York City, 1917: A
silent march to protest the police's treatment of blacks during
riots in East St. Louis. 1 Black Past, "NAACP Silent Protest Parade, New York City (1917)." -
Red Summer
The summer and fall of 1919 marked an explosion of race riots across the country. The riot of Chicago was particularly deadly. While whites instigated the riots, blacks were not afraid to fight back, leading to the rumors that blacks had formed a conspiracy to overthrow the white establishment.1 Photo: Fujita, Jun. Courtesy of the Chicago History Museum. 1 Public Broadcasting System, The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow, "Red
Summer (1919)." -
Oscar De Priest
Oscar Stanton De Priest became the first and only African American elected to Congress in the 20th century. He was born to former slaves and he eventually made his way to Chicago where he used his ability to negotiate to bring black votes to the Republican Party. He served three terms in Congress.1 Image: Black History Heroes. Early Political Campaign Button for
Oscar Stanton De Priest. 1 Biography, "Oscar Stanton De Priest."
