Unit 3: The Reconstruction Amendments PDF

3.1: The Reconstruction Amendments The assassination of Abraham Lincoln happened a few days after the end of the Civil War He did not want former confederate officers to be able to hold office or vote once southern states re-entered the union. Andrew Johnson, his vice president, took office once he...

3.1: The Reconstruction Amendments The assassination of Abraham Lincoln happened a few days after the end of the Civil War He did not want former confederate officers to be able to hold office or vote once southern states re-entered the union. Andrew Johnson, his vice president, took office once he died. A southerner himself was more sympathetic to former confederates. Johnson pardoned over 13,000 former confederates. This allowed them to re-enter politics This hindered Black politicians who now had to attempt to win in districts were former confederates could now vote again Joseph Hayne Rainey Johnson's pardons allowed for the spread of Black Codes bc it empower white southern elites, that was a part of confederates Similar to Slave Codes but targeting the now free black people. Limited property ownership Property: Some states limited the types of property Black people could own. Jury service: Black people were not allowed to serve on juries. Due to the rise of these Black Codes the “Radical Republicans” in congress take over reconstruction, Radical Republicans = The more progressive wing of the Republican party. Radical for the time, not in today's terms. They did the following: Created military districts as part of their Reconstruction plan after the Civil War Make sure southern states ratified the 13th, 14th and 15th amendment Make southern states change their state constitutions to protect the rights of Black people 3.2: Social Life: Reuniting Black Families and the Freedmen’s Bureau After the Civil War, formerly enslaved people attempted to find their families they were separated from Some took out ads in newspapers the majority did not successfully find all of their loved one Role of religion The Radical Republicans passed measures to protest formerly enslaved people Act to Establish a Bureau for the Relief of Freedmen and Refugees (1865) - The Freedmen’s Bureau Food, clothing, shelter and other survival necessities The bureau was part of the War Department and led by a commissioner appointed by the President. Understanding the Freedmen's Bureau The Freedmen’s Bureau was an important attempt by the Federal Government to help formerly enslaved people. Despite these noble intentions the agency was not able to accomplish its set goals. 3.3: Black Codes, Land, and Labor Black Codes Starting in 1865 states enacted Black Codes These were laws that were created to undermine the freedom of Black people. Limited movement and labor The goal of these laws were to reestablish the old social order and surveillance system of Slave Codes Efforts to Improve Living Conditions At the same time as the creation of these Black Codes people were attempting to help the living conditions of Ex-Enslave people. Two Examples Are: Freedmen's Bureau Union General William T. Sherman issued Special Field Orders No. 15, in 1865 which aimed to redistribute land between South Carolina and Florida to newly freed African American families in segments of 40 acres. Both of these examples helped a small minor of African Americans in bettering their lives but failed to help the community as a whole This is mostly due to lack of funding and political opposition 3.4: The Defeat of Reconstruction Black Codes and Federal Troops Black Codes: Laws meant to re-establish racial hierarchy Most of the Black codes we learned about last class were stopped by federal troops This resulted in the expansion of Black Rights This is until the election of 1876 when everything changed The Election of 1876 Republican Governor of Ohio Rutherford B. Hayes VS Democrat Governor of New York Samuel J. Tilden Tilden: Did not support Black Rights Hayes: Supported it in name but did not take strong action on the issue Tilden won the popular vote and initially looked like he was going to win the electoral college However 20 electoral votes were contested due to voter fraud and voter intimidation claims Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Oregon The Election of 1876 To solve the issue Congress established a 15-member Electoral Commission in January 1877, made up of representatives from the House and Senate, and Supreme Court justices. The Commission awarded all disputed electoral votes to Hayes by an 8-7 vote along party lines, Gave Hayes a 185 to 184 victory in the Electoral College. OFF THE BOOKS Democrats offered to concede the presidency to Hayes in exchange for the withdrawal of federal troops from the South END OF RECONSTRUCTION This is called the Compromise of 1877 Effect of the Compromise of 1877 Black Codes were largely stopped by federal troops in the mid to late 1860’s The withdrawal of federal troops and the end of Reconstruction allowed for the reentry of Black Codes. This had the effects of the 13th, 14th and 15th amendment not being fully followed in the south JIM CROW Most Black Codes were re-passed into law Poll taxes Literacy tests Grandfather clauses This was further entrenched with the Supreme Court ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896, Legally recognized “separate but equal” - Segregation Unequal allocation of resources hurt the Black community Reversed by Brown bs Board of Education in 1954 The End of Reconstruction There is debate on the extent to which the reconstruction era significantly improved the living standards of Black Americans Many view the Reconstruction era as a failed vision of what could have been Others point out the successes like the election of Black representatives in congress and the Freedman’s Bureau This is interesting! Let’s debate with chatgpt! 3.5: Disenfranchisement and Jim Crow Laws Minstrel Shows Form of theater developed in the early 19th century Played by mostly white people who wore Black face There were some Black played minstrel shows Depicted negative stereotypes of Black people Two of the most well known characters who came out of minstrel shows were: Jim Crow Aunt Jemima Jim Crow The term was coined in the 1830’s as a derogatory term for Black people Developed into a minstrel character after Gradually the character's name came to stand for segregation and discrimination against African Americans in the late nineteenth century. Jim Crow became shorthand for mocking Black people and slowly transformed to refer to laws aimed at dehumanizing black people. Segregation White people would call any facility Black people used as “Jim Crow Facilities” Jim Crow and the Nadir 1870’s to 1960’s - Jim Crow Era Plessy vs Ferguson - Legalized segregation The Jim Crow era saw the return of Black Codes after the brief pause caused by the protection provided by federal troops in the south 1870’s to early 1900’s - Nadir When racism against Black people was at its most extreme, marked by widespread disenfranchisement, legalized segregation, lynchings, and severe limitations on civil rights the peak of Jim Crow era oppression Saw rise of pseudo scientific racial theories like social darwinism Impact of Jim Crow Laws Limited ability to vote Enforced racial segregation Hospitals, School, Public Transport and even cemeteries In ALL cases the Black facilities were were significantly worse than the white Sometimes they did not actually have separate facilities offered Rise of terrorist organizations like the Klu Klux Klan (The KKK) The end of Jim Crow Brown vs Board of Ed Civil Rights Act of 1964 Loving vs Virginia - 1967 - Banned laws against interracial marriage which 16 states still banned at the time The Violence During the Nadir Public acts of violence Lynchings - Acts of terrorism acted out against Black people Mob violence - Act of terrorism meant to intimate Black communities. Particularly high during election time Public marches The KKK carried much of this out before and after the Nadir 1865-1870 1915-present Sparked by Wilson’s showing of “Birth of A Nation” Reactions of Black Journalism Black Journalists were on the front lines on calling all of this out Many highlighted lynching in particular Ida B. Wells is the most well know​ Wrote for The Living Way In many cases she personality knew the people she was reporting on She faced many death threats and retaliation Friends with Frederick Douglass Southern Horrors and The Red Record are were most well known writings (1892 and 1895) She highlighted that Black people never deserved to get lynched, which many white people insisted they did, and how in the vast majority of cases they didn’t even commit a crime 3.6: White Supremacist Violence and the Red Summer Increase in race based violence in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s Increased lynchings Many Black American spoke out The amount of Black Americans who were vocally speaking out dramatically increased during WWI Many Black soldiers were treated better in Europe and expected better treatment when coming back to the United States Many White American reacted negatively to this Due to this many cases of violence committed against Black people turned into Race Riots Race Riot Conflict that arises due to racial tensions or issues They didn’t always involve two races on opposing sides, in the examples we will examine, it does. Many of the most remembered race riots either during or after WWI (End of WWI: November 11, 1918) Houston Race Riot - 1917 Chicago Race Riot - 1919 Tulsa Race Riot - 1921 3.7: The Color Line and Double Consciousness in American Society New leadership in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s meant their were different philosophies relating to activism. Du Bois and Dunbar Today we will focus on Du Bois and Dunbar Du Bois (1868-1963) Very influence social activist Total equality not compromise Feuded with Booker T. Washington Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872 - 1906) Poet, novelist, and short story writer Died young of Tuberculosis 3.8: Lifting as We Climb: Uplift Ideologies and Black Women’s Rights and Leadership Review - Key Concepts From Dunbar “The Mask” The first stanza introduces the idea of wearing a mask to hide one's true feelings. The mask "grins and lies" ones "torn and bleeding hearts." It says that people show a happy face to the world, while, inwardly, they are suffering. Calling on Black Americans to more openly call for better treatment and to stop wearing “The Mask” Review - Key Concepts From W.E.B Du Bois The Souls of Black Folk “The Color Line” The Color Line refers to the racial segregation and discrimination that defines the social, economic, and political systems of the United States. It’s not just a literal divide (like laws or physical segregation) but also a figurative one, where prejudice and inequality persist across all levels of society. Two different worlds “The Veil” Metaphor about the barrier that separates Black people from White people The Veil symbolizes how white Americans cannot truly see or understand the lived experiences of Black people, while Black Americans are painfully aware of the divide because they live on both sides of it. “Double Consciousness” Double Consciousness is the internal conflict Black people feel when navigating a world dominated by white perspectives. It’s the sense of "two-ness" that arises from being both African and American, often forced to reconcile these identities in a hostile society. This dual awareness can be painful because it involves both self-awareness and a constant negotiation of one’s identity to survive in a world that devalues Blackness. Washington, Burroughs, and Cooper Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) Social activist, educator and author Racial Accommodationist: rejected the pursuit of political equality with whites in favor of developing vocational skills and a reputation for stability. Washington vs De Bois Nannie Helen Burroughs (1879 - 1961) Civil Rights Leader, Religious leader and Feminist Focus on Religion. The Baptist Church Women should be involved in Civil Rights: Collaboration, Not Competition Anna Julia Cooper (1858-1964) Educator, sociologist, Black liberation activist, Black feminist leader, Education as Liberation Women should be involved in Civil Right: Move over Visual Media and Literature Analysis 3.11: The New Negro Movement and the Harlem Renaissance Alain Locke Alain Locke: professor and intellectual In 1925, Locke publishes an anthology called The New Negro. He gathers the works of poets like Langston Hughes, writers like Zora Neale Hurston, and thinkers like W.E.B. Du Bois, binding their voices into a single volume.\ Paint a picture of what it means to be Black in America. Coins the term “The New Negro.” Call to arms: Stand tall, embraces African heritage, and uses art, music, and literature to demand change. The New Negro Movemenent The New Negro Movement (1925 to mid 1930’s) A cultural and intellectual revival during the early 20th century where Black Americans expressed a renewed sense of racial pride and identity. Key points about the New Negro Movement: Self expression and not conforming to whiteness Literature: Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston are two examples Alain Locke's influence: "The New Negro" was the title of an influential anthology edited by Alain Locke, which helped to shape the movement's philosophy. Political Expression: Used art and literature to advocate for social change The Harlem Renaissance Much of the “New Negro Movement” was centered in Harlem, NY Before the offical start of the “New Negro Movement Harlem was experiencing a revewal of culture fueled by the Great Migration Jazz clubs Notable figures like: Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Louis Armstrong Harlem became the center of the “New Negro Movement” This is called “The Harlem Renaissance” The Harlem center of the “New Negro Movement” 3.12: Photography and Social Change Black Photography in the early 1900’s have two very important elements! 1. During the New Negro movement, African American photographers, seeking to create a distinctive Black aesthetic grounded their work in the beauty of everyday life, history, folk culture, and pride in an African heritage. 2. African American photographers, such as James Van Der Zee, recast global perceptions of African Americans by further illustrating the qualities of the “new negro.” 3.15: Black History Education and African American Studies 3.14: Symphony in Black: Black Performance in Music, Theater, and Film Do Now Debrief Jazz music one of the reasons for this transition During the Harlem Renaissance, Jazz opened opportunities for African American record labels, musicians, and vocalists to gain a wider audience. The rise of radio broadcast African American genres including blues, gospel, and jazz across the nation. Blues music has its roots in slavery. The heightened emotion of blues music conveys themes such as despair and hope, love, and loss. Jazz has been described as the United States’ most distinctive contribution to the arts. Like blues, jazz originated among African American communities in the South (New Orleans) Developed new styles following migration to the North, Midwest, and West. From big band to free jazz, the genre continues to evolve in the present day. Historic Examples of the Importance of African American Culture: “Cabin in the Sky” Black performers flourished in cabarets, on Broadway, and in film in the early twentieth century. Hollywood also produced all-Black musicals, such as Cabin in the Sky (1943) featuring prominent Black actors, musicians, and​ dancers Ethel​ Waters was the​ first African American to star in her own television show (1939) This film was significant because it was the first movie with an all black cast Despite now being explicitly about race the movie defied the roles that society tried to fit Black people into This and Jazz are a natural extension of the Harlem Renaissance in its depiction of Black success. Understanding the Power of Activism All of these works rebutted racist ideologies countering racist claims of a lack of History Countered misconceptions about the intelligence or ability to succeed One particular one is Social Darwinism 1870’s to 1930’s The Great Migration The migration of Black southerners to the north and midwest Driven by economic opportunity Southern Jim Crow and Segregation Helped create and spread new forms of culture and music. Afro-Caribbean Migration Peak: 1913 through 1937 Afro-Caribbean = People from the Caribbean with predominant African Descent More than 140,000 Afro-Caribbean immigrants arrived between 1899 and 1937. Most settled in Florida and New York. Push Factors Declining economic activity post WWI in the Caribbean Oversupply of Sugar Lack of Diversification Unstable governments Increased US intervention in the Caribbean Until entering World War I on 6 April 1917, the US intervened in the Dominican Republic (1905, 1907, 1916-1924), in Nicaragua (1907, 1909, 1912-1925), in Honduras (1909, 1911-1925), in Mexico (1914, 1915, 1916, 1917) and in Cuba (1906-1909, 1912, 1917-1919). Panama and Colombia (1903) Pull Factor The expansion of the US economy after WWI large quantities of goods were told to war-torn European countries for reconstruction Introduction: The Rise of the UNIA Founded by Marcus Garvey in 1914 in Jamaica, expanded to the U.S. in 1916 By the early 1920s, the UNIA was the largest Black-led organization in the world Advocated for Black nationalism, economic self-sufficiency, and African redemption Promoted race pride, self-determination, and solidarity among people of African descent Core Beliefs and Goals of the UNIA Black Nationalism & Racial Uplift Encouraged Black economic and political independence Promoted pride in African heritage and rejection of white supremacy Slogan: “One God! One Aim! One Destiny!” Economic Self-Sufficiency Established Black-owned businesses, including the Black Star Line shipping company Encouraged Black communities to build their own economic institutions Pan-Africanism & African Redemption Advocated for a united African diaspora and a return to Africa for those who wished Belief that Africa should be ruled by people of African descent Sought to liberate Africa from European colonial rule Anti-Imperialism The Role of Women in the UNIA Women were active leaders and organizers Amy Jacques Garvey (Garvey’s wife) played a major role in spreading Garveyism Black Cross Nurses provided health services and symbolized Black self-help The Impact and Influence of the UNIA Black Star Line (1919-1922): Attempt to create a Black-controlled global trade network Garvey’s “Africa for Africans” philosophy inspired later movements like the Nation of Islam and the Civil Rights Movement UNIA parades, newspapers (The Negro World), and speeches spread Black pride globally By 1920, UNIA claimed millions of members in the U.S., the Caribbean, Africa, and Latin America Opposition and Decline Criticism from other Black leaders (e.g., W.E.B. Du Bois and the NAACP) Du Bois called Garvey’s Back-to-Africa movement unrealistic Garvey was anti-integration Du Bois was was pro-integration Bc of this some saw Garvey as too radical and separatist Bc his message was to keep races separate in order to achieve peace and economic independence he found allies in bad places Met with white supremacists, including leaders of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and Senator Theodore Bilbo. He also promoting antisemitic views Blamed Jewish people for Racism He accused Jewish people of controlling industries that oppressed Black workers and suggested that Jewish influence in politics and finance was a barrier to Black progress. Legal issues and Garvey’s imprisonment (1925) Garvey convicted of mail fraud related to the Black Star Line Deported to Jamaica in 1927, leading to the decline of the UNIA Legacy of the UNIA and Garveyism Continued influence on later Black nationalist and Pan-African movements Inspired leaders like Malcolm X, Kwame Nkrumah, and the Black Power movement Helped shape ideas of Black economic empowerment, cultural pride, and political independence