Race relations have been both good and bad throughout American history. When thinking of a time when race relations have been the worst, one may think of the Civil War. The time before the war called the Antebellum Period, the Civil War, and the period after the war called the Reconstruction Era all had strong opinions on how African Americans should be treated in America. Race relations were already poor during the Antebellum period due to slavery and the fugitive slave act, and they did not improve during the war, with mistreatment and racism towards African American soldiers. The Emancipation Proclamation gave hope but did not fully improve relations due to issues over Whites and Blacks being “equal”, with those issues only getting worse during Reconstruction. Race has been an issue in America since the founding of its existence. During the Antebellum Period, specifically 10 years before the South seceded, race relations were already tense. “ The Fugitive Slave Act had been in effect since 1850, It said a runaway slave must be returned to his or her master.”
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One example of this injustice was the fact that black soldiers were paid ten dollars a month with three of those dollars taken from that ten for clothing, whereas white soldiers were paid thirteen dollars a month with no money taken out for clothing. (African Americans in CW) Black soldiers were also treated much harsher by the Confederates if they were captured as prisoners of war. (African Americans in CW) Prejudice against black soldiers in the Confederacy was, or course, much stronger than in the union, but it also was so harsh it hurt their ability to fight. In 1863, the Confederacy needed more soldiers, but when they were offered militias of black troops to fight, they refused. Instead of accepting the troops and having enough men to fight, they let their racist opinions overcome their needs in
One example of this injustice was the fact that black soldiers were paid ten dollars a month with three of those dollars taken from that ten for clothing, whereas white soldiers were paid thirteen dollars a month with no money taken out for clothing. (African Americans in CW) Black soldiers were also treated much harsher by the Confederates if they were captured as prisoners of war. (African Americans in CW) Prejudice against black soldiers in the Confederacy was, or course, much stronger than in the union, but it also was so harsh it hurt their ability to fight. In 1863, the Confederacy needed more soldiers, but when they were offered militias of black troops to fight, they refused. Instead of accepting the troops and having enough men to fight, they let their racist opinions overcome their needs in