Changes to American Society and Culture from 1865 to 1929; The Progress and Setbacks Regarding African American Rights and Culture (DJS)

By djstevens1

  • The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution

    The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution
    The proposed ratification of the 13th amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America received the support that it needed from Congress and the states, even the South. The 13th amendment was added to the Constitution in December of 1865 permanently abolishing slavery in the U.S. This constitutional based freedom was a step in the right direction towards equal rights for African American. (see footnotes section 1-3)

  • The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution

    The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution
    Not long after slavery was officially abolished black citizens started gaining momentum regarding their rights, specifically the right to vote. The ratification of the 15th amendment of the Constitution of the United States, final in 1870, allowed suffrage to all men including African Americans explicitly prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race. While this was a huge win for black Americans, the road to equal rights was riddled with set backs along the way. (see footnotes section 4-6)

  • Two Steps Forward and One Step Back

    Two Steps Forward and One Step Back
    Plessy vs Ferguson was a benchmark Supreme Court case in American history that allowed "separate but equal" facilities for black and white citizens on passenger trains nationwide. All standard facilities were separated based on race; train cars, water fountains, seats, etc...This precedent allowed for segregation on the basis that the practice was not in violation of the 13th or 14th amendments of the U.S. Constitution: a ruling that persisted as law until 1954. (see footnotes section 7-9)

  • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

    National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
    Civil rights leaders began to emerge within the African American community as racial violence permeated the South and the West. One of theses leaders, W.E.B. DuBois, was a Harvard educated professor in Atlanta who fought for immediate and absolute equality for African Americans. DuBois' movement known as the "Niagra Movement" laid the foundation for the NAACP. Founded in 1909 the goal of the organization was to put an end to race-based discrimination. (see footnotes section 10-12)

  • "The Birth of a Nation" - Resurgence of the KKK

    "The Birth of a Nation" - Resurgence of the KKK
    The 1915 motion picture "The Birth of a Nation" is evidence of racism and white supremacy at its best. The film depicts KKK clansmen as heroes who save white men and women from the abuse and violation of African Americans. The film, while grossly inaccurate, had many supporters including President Wilson. After the film's release, support for the Ku Klux Klan grew immensely totaling 6 million members in the South, West, and Midwest by 1924. (see footnotes section 13-14)

  • The "Harlem Renaissance" of the 1920's

    The "Harlem Renaissance" of the 1920's
    Out of the backlash of white supremacy, racial pride increased for African Americans in the 1920's as they embraced their cultural expressions and rejected white American culture. Harlem, NY became a mecca for southern blacks who were pushing northward in search of an improved quality of life and an escape from southern oppression. This city became known for African American writings, music, politics and art. (see footnotes section 15-16)
  • Period: to

    The "Harlem Renaissance" of the 1920's

  • Footnotes Section 1-3

    1.U.S. Constitution 13th amendment "A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774 - 1875" Library of Congress, 06/22/17, https://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llsl&fileName=013/llsl013.db&recNum=596
    1. Corbett, U.S. History, Chapter 16, Section 16.1
    2. Image 13th amendment, Library of Congress, https://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=mal&fileName=mal3/436/4361100/malpage.db&recNum=0

  • Footnotes Section 4-6

    1. U.S. Constitution, 15th amendment, "A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774 - 1875" Library of Congress, 06/22/17,
      https://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llsl&fileName=015/llsl015.db&recNum=379
    2. Corbett, U.S. History, Chapter 16, Section 16.3
    3. Image; The Fifteenth Amendment. Celebrated May 19th, 1870 / from an original design by James C. Beard. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2003690776/

  • Footnotes Section 7-9

    1. Plessy vs Ferguson, Library of Congress, 1896, http://loc.heinonline.org/loc/Page?handle=hein.usreports/usrep163&id=559&collection=journals&index=usreportsloc#559
    2. Plessy vs Ferguson, History.com, 06/22/17, http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/plessy-v-ferguson
    3. Image; Lee, Russell. "Negro Drinking at 'Colored' Water Cooler in Streetcar Terminal,1939. Library of Congress.
      http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/progress/jb_progress_plessy_1_e.html

  • Footnotes Section 10-12

    1. Corbett, U.S. History, Chapter 21, Section 21.3
    2. NAACP, "What Does NAACP Stand For?", 06/22/17, http://www.naacp.org/about-us/
    3. Image; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP Symbol, 06/22/17, http://www.naacp.org/

  • Footnotes Section 13-14

    1. Corbett, U.S. History, Chapter 24, Section 24.2
    2. Image; Corbett, Chapter 24, Section 24.2, "A theatrical release poster for The Birth of a Nation, in 1915."

  • Footnotes Section 15-16

    1. Corbett, U.S. History, Chapter 24, Section 24.3
    2. Image; Gamin, painted plaster sculpture by Augusta Savage, Encyclopedia Britannica,1929 https://www.britannica.com/topic/Gamin