of enslavement. They fought by running away and seeking freedom in northern territories and
they fought for their freedom during the War for Independence. But no time in history was the
fight more organized, more determined, and more sacrificial than their fight for freedom during
and after the Civil War.
Since the time of the Declaration of Independence when African Americans realized that if all
men were created equal, then if applied to them as well, their fight for freedom was a part of
every waking moment. African Americans took the opportunity to escape the minute the states
began to secede from the Union. White …show more content…
They had to actually fight for the
right to serve as soldiers. They did this because African Americans knew before the Northern
and Southern whites that the Civil War was being fought over slavery. They needed the Union
to win the war and they felt that, of the two sides, they would fare better under a Union
government than a Confederate government. However, even as they were “allowed” to fight for
their freedom, they were treated as inferiors and were even paid less because they were black.
The tenacity of the African American soldiers and their total dedication to their causes earned
them the reluctant respect of the white officers and soldiers. The 54th Regiment was an
excellent example of a group of black soldiers who served with distinction and proved that they
were as courageous as any white regiment. The 54th Regiment also refused to accept payment
until they were paid the same as the white soldier. The refusal spoke volumes about how
African American’s were tired of inequality based on the color of their skin. This was
reminiscent of the Revolutionary War, when both the British and Colonial Armies …show more content…
Black soldiers caught were not treated
as prisoners of war, they were treated as rebellious slaves and sent back to slave owners or
were executed. This only made the black soldiers fight harder since they really had more to
lose if they lost a battle and were captured.
So the Civil War was over and the Union was preserved. The fight of the African American
to be free was over and their troubles would soon be part of the past. It did not take long for
the dreams to be crushed. Post Civil War reconstruction in which African Americans had a role
to play in all parts of society did not last very long. Once the southern states were forgiven by
their northern counterparts, it was business as usual in the South. Even with the Civil Rights
Act, the 13th , 14th, and 15th amendments to the constitution, African Americans were held down
to the maximum extent possible. The South used racial etiquette, sharecropping, black codes,
secret societies, convict lease system, and lynch mobs to keep the black man in his place. At
every opportunity, African Americans fought back and were able to organize and fight for