The Nadir of Race Relations

The Nadir of Race Relations 1. After the civil war Republicans really pushed for African Americans rights. They wanted them to have equal rights as they did and push for equality was a national interest. Then in 1868 the 14th Amendment was passed which granted everyone equal protection by law he 15th Amendment was also passed, which allowed African Americans to vote. J.B Rodgers set up a school and taught ex-slaves and brought them to Wisconsin, and when they arrived they were served food and stayed in a hotel. They were becoming more socially accepted. In 1866 the Civil Rights Acts said “citizens of every race and color . . . shall have the same right . . . to inherit, purchase, lease, sell, hold, and convey, real and personal property.” (Class handout) Between 1865 and 1890 African Americans were holding political positions, and working “normal” jobs that the average white person would have. 2. When looking at the Nadir, I was thinking it was a major problem America had with racism in our past history. Anyone who could look into the situation and read about would think the same thing, but the people who lived in this time period believed that the problem wasn’t them being racist but the African Americans. People that African Americans were naturally stupid, lazy, and couldn’t accomplish basic things in their lives. This was based off the belief of Social Darwinism because everyone thought that the ex-slaves had their freedom and they couldn’t accomplish anything with their lives, so another law was passed allowing segregation to be legal because the “whites” were smarter and better because that’s the way we were born that way. So, they believed the African Americans brought all of their problems on themselves. 3. A Turn for the Worse
The south has taken a dramatic turn for the worse. The days after the civil war America had seemed to be moving forward, by passing laws creating equality for both blacks and whites. Though, this progress had come to a