Reconstruction False Dawn
To what extent was the era of Reconstruction a “false dawn” for African Americans in the Southern state of the United States of America? 1863 - 1877
During the era of construction, African Americans were led to believe that things were about to change for them. The emancipation proclamation introduced by Lincoln had been passed in 1863, which immediately entitled freedom to 50,000 slaves. They were now free, no longer tied down by the restrictions of slavery, which meant things could be done to improve their lives, economically, socially and politically, hopefully leading to their equal presence in society. In the North, this may have been the case, whose victory in the Civil War had led to the end of slavery in America, with the establishment of the Freedman’s Bureau leading to a better life for many, however in the South, their plans for the newly freed slaves was something entirely different.
The era of reconstruction saw the very first use of violence from white supremacist groups on African Americans. The Ku Klux Klan was established in 1886, in Tennessee, where they would use violence and intimidation, not only against black people, but also against supporters of Reconstruction in the South. Numerous attacks were made through 1866, to 1870, from the Memphis riots, where 46 blacks who …show more content…
At its start, Reconstruction seemed like an exciting new aspect which would bring black people the new life which they deserved, and had deserved for the past 100 years. However unfortunately this was not the case. As they were expecting life to now be easy, they were faced with even harsher restrictions and barriers in society that meant they were now even worse off than they may have been whilst they were slaves. However the period was not a complete failure. Numerous acts were passed which meant that former slaves now had opportunities to establish themselves as now free
During the era of construction, African Americans were led to believe that things were about to change for them. The emancipation proclamation introduced by Lincoln had been passed in 1863, which immediately entitled freedom to 50,000 slaves. They were now free, no longer tied down by the restrictions of slavery, which meant things could be done to improve their lives, economically, socially and politically, hopefully leading to their equal presence in society. In the North, this may have been the case, whose victory in the Civil War had led to the end of slavery in America, with the establishment of the Freedman’s Bureau leading to a better life for many, however in the South, their plans for the newly freed slaves was something entirely different.
The era of reconstruction saw the very first use of violence from white supremacist groups on African Americans. The Ku Klux Klan was established in 1886, in Tennessee, where they would use violence and intimidation, not only against black people, but also against supporters of Reconstruction in the South. Numerous attacks were made through 1866, to 1870, from the Memphis riots, where 46 blacks who …show more content…
At its start, Reconstruction seemed like an exciting new aspect which would bring black people the new life which they deserved, and had deserved for the past 100 years. However unfortunately this was not the case. As they were expecting life to now be easy, they were faced with even harsher restrictions and barriers in society that meant they were now even worse off than they may have been whilst they were slaves. However the period was not a complete failure. Numerous acts were passed which meant that former slaves now had opportunities to establish themselves as now free