The Roots of American Slavery
African Americans have been freed for an estimated time of 149 years. However, using the word free lightly and with current events that have occurred it would be more accurate to say that African Americans have been “free” for a shorter time than that. Slavery has been part of history dating back to the Greek, Roman and even Egyptian civilization however how they were treated is vastly different as time progressed forward. Key factors that determined the type of treatment to be given were based on social, political and economical position during that time period. Prior to the institution of slavery in the Americas, African americans were brought as explorers along side of the Spanish and Portuguese.
Slavery …show more content…
By the year 1863, an estimated 3 million black slaves were freed in the south, weakening their economy and depriving the south of a major portion of their labor force. The 13th Amendment is adopted in 1865, “officially abolishing slavery” however the South challenged this Amendment for the years to come, along with the 14th Amendment (1868) and the 15th Amendment (1870). These challenges included black codes and sharecropping state laws which conflicted with the Reconstruction Era (1865-77). Newly free slaves and fugitive slaves went North to seek full participation in American Democracy leading to a new leadership arising centered in the Black Church in Philadelphia, New York and Boston. Abolitionist and entrepreneur James Forten, preacher Jarena Lee, and Bishop Richard Allen, a former slave and founder of the first black Christian denomination were a part of the new leadership. Black churches soon became the fulcrum of the community, providing schools, aiding their poor and agitating for the repeal of slave laws.Although there was a degree of Black participation in American political life living in this era was frustrating for African Americans. By, 1877 the rise of the Ku Klux Klan emerged and the idea of white supremacy was triumphed the south. It would take a century later during the 1960’s that the Civil Rights Movement would push for political and social gains for African
African Americans have been freed for an estimated time of 149 years. However, using the word free lightly and with current events that have occurred it would be more accurate to say that African Americans have been “free” for a shorter time than that. Slavery has been part of history dating back to the Greek, Roman and even Egyptian civilization however how they were treated is vastly different as time progressed forward. Key factors that determined the type of treatment to be given were based on social, political and economical position during that time period. Prior to the institution of slavery in the Americas, African americans were brought as explorers along side of the Spanish and Portuguese.
Slavery …show more content…
By the year 1863, an estimated 3 million black slaves were freed in the south, weakening their economy and depriving the south of a major portion of their labor force. The 13th Amendment is adopted in 1865, “officially abolishing slavery” however the South challenged this Amendment for the years to come, along with the 14th Amendment (1868) and the 15th Amendment (1870). These challenges included black codes and sharecropping state laws which conflicted with the Reconstruction Era (1865-77). Newly free slaves and fugitive slaves went North to seek full participation in American Democracy leading to a new leadership arising centered in the Black Church in Philadelphia, New York and Boston. Abolitionist and entrepreneur James Forten, preacher Jarena Lee, and Bishop Richard Allen, a former slave and founder of the first black Christian denomination were a part of the new leadership. Black churches soon became the fulcrum of the community, providing schools, aiding their poor and agitating for the repeal of slave laws.Although there was a degree of Black participation in American political life living in this era was frustrating for African Americans. By, 1877 the rise of the Ku Klux Klan emerged and the idea of white supremacy was triumphed the south. It would take a century later during the 1960’s that the Civil Rights Movement would push for political and social gains for African