The life of being a slave was always difficult for the entire population of African Americans. However, after the Civil War, thousands of enslaved African Americans had high hopes to see themselves equal, to have equal rights, and to actually live and make their lives better. During the period of Reconstruction, 1865 to 1877, the laws were passed which would insure the civil and political rights for African Americans. The Thirteenth Amendment (1865) ended slavery, the Fourteenth Amendment (1868) ensured “equal protection of the laws” to all citizens, and the Fifteenth Amendment (1870) guaranteed the right to vote for African Americans (A Century of Racial, n.d.).
Freedom from slavery meant many things for enslaved African Americans. It intended …show more content…
During the Civil War, America put an end to the establishment of slavery with the thirteenth amendment but the government had no power over private institutions and people's personal beliefs. And the thirteenth amendment only stated that the slavery has ended. It didn’t really say about what “race” relations between white and blacks in south would be after the Civil War. So, the states in the south began writing new laws which were called “Black Codes.” Therefore, much racism still existed even though slavery was outlawed. Additionally, the effect of the equal-protection clause of the 14th Amendment was negated in the case of Plessy vs Ferguson due to it stating that anyone born in the United States or anyone naturalized was considered a US Citizen therefore is entitled to the equal- protection by law. In the pivotal case of Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racially separate facilities, if equal, did not violate the Constitution. Segregation, the Court said, was not discrimination.
In conclusion, as I stated before, segregation didn’t happen overnight. There were laws which meant to be beneficial for African Americans but they turned out to be a total opposite instead such as the Fourteenth Amendment. There were many political and social decisions that were taken and which continued to be taken and that is what caused the
Freedom from slavery meant many things for enslaved African Americans. It intended …show more content…
During the Civil War, America put an end to the establishment of slavery with the thirteenth amendment but the government had no power over private institutions and people's personal beliefs. And the thirteenth amendment only stated that the slavery has ended. It didn’t really say about what “race” relations between white and blacks in south would be after the Civil War. So, the states in the south began writing new laws which were called “Black Codes.” Therefore, much racism still existed even though slavery was outlawed. Additionally, the effect of the equal-protection clause of the 14th Amendment was negated in the case of Plessy vs Ferguson due to it stating that anyone born in the United States or anyone naturalized was considered a US Citizen therefore is entitled to the equal- protection by law. In the pivotal case of Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racially separate facilities, if equal, did not violate the Constitution. Segregation, the Court said, was not discrimination.
In conclusion, as I stated before, segregation didn’t happen overnight. There were laws which meant to be beneficial for African Americans but they turned out to be a total opposite instead such as the Fourteenth Amendment. There were many political and social decisions that were taken and which continued to be taken and that is what caused the