Unit 5: Life in Post-Slavery America(1875 – 1928)

During the late 1800s and early 1900s African-Americans struggled to find their place in the United States, while also seeking ways to express their voice and culture.

African-Americans in the South in the Late 19th Century (1875 – 1900)

• In the years following Reconstruction, African-Americans faced many difficulties and injustices, especially in the South.

Politics

• After Reconstruction ended in 1877, some black politicians stayed in office. However, by 1900 the political system in the South was virtually all ____________.

• During the late 19th century, southern _________________ increased their efforts to prevent black men from exercising their right to vote.-________________________-________________________ -________________________

• _________________________: to deprive of the right to vote• Black farmers did form _________________ to protect their political and economic

interests.

• Many of these alliances supported the new _______________________ (People’s Party), a political party that sought to be a voice for the common people, such as _______________.

Segregation• Segregation evolved into a system of white ______________.• The Supreme Court case of Plessy vs. Ferguson established the legal

principle of ‘____________________________’ public facilities. (hotels, parks, etc.)

– This helped clear the way for further legal segregation. (_________________________)

• Plessy vs. Ferguson• In 1892 and in the state of Louisiana, Homer Plessy bought a train ticket. The problem is Plessy was

black (though only ___________________) and his seat was designated for whites only. Plessy was arrested for violating a segregation law. His case went all the way to the _____________________, where it was decided that’s Louisiana’s segregation law should be upheld.

Violence• Political and mob violence continued during the 1880s and 1890s, as

______________ often used armed force to drive blacks and white Republicans out of politics.

• ______________ was common, averaging 2 or 3 a week, and usually done in the South.

• Lynching was often justified as ________________ for the alleged rape of a white women by a black man. However, the rape of a black woman was almost never punished.

Migration• In the face of violence, discrimination, and poverty, thousands of blacks decided to

leave the __________.• Blacks hoped for better __________________ out West, up North, or at least in

southern cities rather than in rural areas of the South.• Blacks who migrated westward became known as __________________.

African Americans and Southern Courts

• As the ___________________ became increasingly white, blacks accused of breaking the law could have little to no expectation of justice and fair treatment.

• Blacks were almost always convicted and faced _______________ sentences than whites who committed similar crimes.

Black Southerners Challenge White Supremacy (1867 – 1917)

• Despite the thinking of many that blacks were naturally ______________ to whites, African-Americans strove to establish themselves and better their lives in American society.

• ______________________ argued that the inferior status of blacks in America was a sign of their ‘______________’.

– In other words, they were saying that blacks were naturally inferior to whites.• Social Darwinism• - Theory that through _____________________ strong people would prosper while weak people would

fail.

Education

• The truth is that the institution of slavery greatly hindered the lives of African-Americans and even with it abolished, there were still few educational opportunities for blacks, as schools were _____________________ didn’t exist for blacks.

Black communities responded to this problem by creating _______________ educational institutions, although only those from more prosperous families could attend.

Church and Religion

• Aside from the family, the church was still the most important _______________ that played an important part in the daily lives of blacks.

– Key Thought: The church was so influential because it was ________________ by blacks themselves. It also provided an opportunity to _____________ the difficulties of daily lives and focus on the hope of the

Christian faith.Black Troops

• Despite ______________ conditions, African Americans served in the armed forces during this time, taking pride in their abilities as ____________________ soldiers.

• ___________________ of African-American troops served overseas in the ______________________ in 1898 and the Philippine Insurrection that followed it.

- In fact, the War Department believed black soldiers would ____________ the heat and humidity better in locations such as Cuba and the Philippines, where much of the fighting took place.

Businesses and Professions

• Since blacks faced limited opportunities to succeed in ‘white’ businesses, many black business people looked to build businesses that catered to black ________________.

• Despite some success stories, many black-owned businesses struggled to stay open.• Most ________________ excluded black workers.• Black doctors and lawyers still faced __________________ and segregation.

Music and Sports

• African-Americans helped develop new forms of music in America.– ________________: composed music written for the piano that emerged in the

1890s– __________: music that was mostly improvised and developed in the early 1900s– __________: music developed by poor black southerners during the early 1900s

• Despite the ______________________ of many African-Americans, black athletes faced increasing opposition to blacks competing alongside and against white athletes.

• Heavyweight boxer Jack Johnson was a great fighter. His ability to defeat white boxers angered many, however, it was his involvement with white women that infuriated them even more and led to his eventual ____________________.