Skip to main content

In 1865, former Confederate General Robert Richardson remarked that “the emancipated slaves own nothing but freedom, because nothing but freedom...

Yes, this is so true, and Eric Foner in his book about Reconstruction says the same thing.  African-Americans could not vote until 1870, and they were not even citizens until 1868.  They could not serve on juries, and many of them could not even read and had to rely on organizations such as the Freedmen's Bureau for their education and healthcare.  Racism still existed in the South, and many landowners took advantage of a bad...

Yes, this is so true, and Eric Foner in his book about Reconstruction says the same thing.  African-Americans could not vote until 1870, and they were not even citizens until 1868.  They could not serve on juries, and many of them could not even read and had to rely on organizations such as the Freedmen's Bureau for their education and healthcare.  Racism still existed in the South, and many landowners took advantage of a bad situation by keeping the former slaves as impoverished sharecroppers who were technically free, but they owed so much money for their housing and tools that they could never leave.  Poor whites suffered the same way.  While I am not discounting freedom, as in 1865 the freeing of the slaves was a landmark event in American history; however, there was no set plan for assimilation, and it was a minority of a minority of abolitionists such as Frederick Douglas and Thaddeus Stevens who considered granting them full civil rights.  Even Lincoln was in favor of starting a freedmen's colony in Central America or the Caribbean or even sending the former slaves back to Africa.  While things were better in 1877 as technically the former slaves could vote, after the army left the South states passed laws such as poll taxes and literacy tests to keep the former slaves from voting.  There was also discrimination in employment as well.  There were also chronic attacks of white supremacist groups that happened in the South for the next hundred years, and lynching would be a major issue in the South and West. Conditions improved between 1865 and 1877, but not by much.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...
Post a Comment
Read more

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...
Post a Comment
Read more