American History

From violent struggles of the early Africans in the savannas of African continent, to various peaceful rallies organized in the America, the progression of African American has been one filled with disillusion on one end while great triumphs have been made on other end. The impacts of this social journey have defined the status of this race on American of which they have become a part of. One of the most conspicuous changes was the Civil War which ended up liberating the African Americans from enslavement on this foreign land. However, the Civil War and its idealistic struggle did not contribute much to the welfare of the African Americans in guaranteeing an equal treatment from their former masters. This paper is going to focus on these different phases and the significant changes that occurred at each period stretching from 1865 to date as we covered in various units in class.

Thesis
From the involuntary entry of Africans into the American continent during the peak period of Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, the African Americans have continued to make every effort socially, economically and even politically. This struggle is best exemplified in phases during which this society has been faced by different challenges.

Unit I 1865-1876
In this chapter we find that, African Americans went through one of the most significant transition in their after the declaration of freedom of all slaves. All slaves were freed after the Civil War in America, and after the ratification of the 13th amendment in 1865, slavery was outlawed and by 1868, the 14th amendment was ratified in the American constitution allowing African Americans to acquire full U.S. citizenship. In addition, the 15th amendment in 1870 gave all black males the right to vote (Mitchell, 2004). From a wider view, the status of these people African American had made a positive progress. However, the progress was just formal rather than a reality because their position failed to increase consistently after the Civil War came to an end. Blacks were not allowed to posses a gun, or spread gospel before acquiring a special license. The state panel was even more blatant by replacing the word slave with freedman, but retaining all the penalties of the slavery period. They continued to struggle for their rights but this put them at loggerheads with the natives.

In response to the perceived freedom, the anti freedom whites, continued their oppression and were given minimal election rights which hindered them from the opportunity of deciding their political life (Marilyn, 2004). In 1876 for example, the Ku-Klux-Klan was formed whose main ideology was racial terrorism. The group killed African Americans in cold blood with an example an example being the Coushatta and Colfax massacres which occurred in 1873 and 1874 respectively in Louisiana.

The greatest political success in this period was the allowing and participation of blacks in democracy as office holders and voters. The state of Mississippi was the first State to send the first two blacks to congress. The congress approved the civil rights Act of 1875 which allowed access of many public institutions and accommodations to people from all races. Everyone was given the freedom to sue if he incurs personal damages. Such rights were applicable to every individual irrespective of race or color, or his previous status of servitude.

Unit II 1877-1920
In this second unit, we find the period between 1877 and 1920 being referred to as the progressive era. In this period, the situation for the African American had hardly improved and discrimination and civil violence was still was still being propagated. Between 1980 and 1908, many states including ten from the south adopted amendments and constitutions that disfranchised the blacks and the poor whites. The reconstruction period ended after elections were disrupted in 1876. Whites from the south took control of political power through violence and intimidation during elections.

 One of the political setbacks that faced African Americans was propagated by the judiciary. For example, the American Supreme court overturned the Civil Rights Act of 1875 declaring it unconstitutional, saying that the 14th amendment only disallowed states but not the citizens from discrimination. In Plessey v Ferguson, the Supreme Court ruled that, it was legal to establish separate but equal institutions for Anglo and African Americans, although the facilities for the former were of low quality (Krenn, 1999). For example, the Texas legislature introduced a poll tax which required all voters who were eligible, to pay a certain fee before being allowed to vote. This was one method that was intended to lockout African Americans, Mexican Americans and poor Anglo Americans. This resulted in a significant reduction in voter turnout among the African Americans in some cases this turnout was almost zero. This meant that, the African Americans lacked representation in both legal making branches of parliament.

One of the greatest social challenges that faced this society in the south of America was threat from civil extinction as death and increased mob violence continued unabated. This forced millions of African Americans to migrate to safer states in the North, but their socioeconomic conditions was very low due to low education level, and their qualifications made them less competitive than the white Americans. Public schools were being built to cater for the African American community. However, discrimination on usage of public facilities did not reduce. Texas legislature ordered for creation of separate waiting rooms on railroad station for African Americans. With time, all public facilities had different restrooms and water fountains (Marilyn, 2004). Another social strive among the African Americans set at the start of the 20th century due to increased migration of qualified personnel from Europe. This decreased the economic opportunity of African Americans.

In response to this, African Americans responded by forming civil rights movements which led to the creation of the Niagara and similar organizations created in secret. People who founded the Niagara movement came up with manifestos which sort an end to racial discrimination, complete civil liberty and acknowledgement of American brotherhood (Brock, 1998). Commissions made up black and white people were established to seek interracial cooperation.

Unit III, 1921-1945
In this unit we find that, the situation of African American started to improve significantly during this period as the civil rights movement continued to increase in number and grow stronger. The Harlem Renaissance which was cultural movement of 1920s was founded at this period. African Americans migrated in large numbers from the south to the north and their numbers grew consistently in the Northern States. In addition, they were exposed to greater opportunities and conditions to exercise their rights because there were less cases of oppression in the north compared to the south. Anglo American reformers started to join and support the African Americans in their quest to end racial discrimination and violence. They joined together and formed committees to demand for the removal of extralegal acts which discriminated the African Americans (Collins, 2004). Local newspapers and other publications openly opposed and condemned lynching. During this period, the Harlem Renaissance grew in numbers and powers and spread nationally. This exposed the power and the ability of African Americans to accomplish success in America. African Americans as well as other racial minorities resisted discrimination in numerous ways and sought for their rights by forming new organizations, labor unions, lawsuits and political redress.

In response to this, famous artist of that period such as Claude McKay, Langston Hughes, and Jacob Lawrence provided their support to this movement and other civil right movement for African Americans. The 1920-1930 economic depression affected severely the situation of African Americans. However, they made major contributions to the success of America and allies in the Second World War (Savage, 2002). Despite the deterioration of socioeconomic conditions, the livelihood of African Americans started changing g its focus towards financial freedom. Their economic conditions depended on securing better working conditions, and this pushed them to automobile and railroad industries to seek for employment opportunities.

We also find that, the increase in the level of industrial production in 1920s which was known as the boom period made most of African Americans to migrate to the north and west. They did this as they looked for a better living conditions and employment opportunities. Close to seven million African Americans migrated from the south in what came to be referred as the great migration.

Unit IV 1946-1976
In this unit we find that, the Civil Rights Movements had developed rapidly and reached its highest level in the black American history. The most vocal leaders of these movements included Martin Luther King and Malcolm-X who were able to organize and lead social resistance movements. These movements put pressure on the dominant White-groups which led to a larger participation and increase opportunities for their American counterparts. They were also able to exercise and enjoy their civil rights. The civil rights movement achieved its first major accomplishment when school segregation was eliminated. Although racial discrimination had already been abolished, this period made it a reality compared to the time when this law was enacted. The situation in the north for African Americans was better since they could vote and educate their children although they were discriminated in terms of housing and employment.

One of the greatest achievements of these movements includes the change in ethnic relations in America as many people across all races decided to take a stand to oppose segregation. Leaders of African American movement and political action groups increased their campaigns to remove segregation in public schools and institutions, and students held demonstrations to protest against segregated institutions.

As a result of increased pressure, many cases were taken to court to seek for legal justice and seek for equality between the whites and the blacks. In 1950 for instance, the Supreme Court tried the case of Heman Sweatte against the UTs Law school. The courts ruling led to elimination of segregation in all professional and graduate schools in the south. This case formed the basis of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)s quest to end segregation in public learning institutions in Brown v. Board around four years later. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that separate learning institutions were not equal and outlawed the legality of segregation. Many educational programs were integrated and the first bunch of African American students was enrolled in predominantly white schools in 1956 for the first time (Savage, 2002).

In response to this, the Civil Rights Act was signed by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964 which prohibited discrimination in public places and it provided for the integration of learning institutions and other public facilities. The 24th amendment was ratified and this led to elimination of poll tax in federal elections since at this time poll tax was still being used in five states in the south. President Johnson also signed the Voting Rights Act which prohibited discriminatory voting tendencies. The Act which had been supported by Martin Luther King also included literary test which disqualified many African Americans from participating in elections. Violence directed towards African Americans decreased drastically but it did not prevent the assassination of Martin Luther King in 1968 (Krenn, 1999). Many civil disobedience and non violent demonstration created a crisis between the government and the activist. The government, business and the society were forced to respond immediately and this portrayed the inequalities which African American communities were facing. Demonstrations involved boycotts such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, sit-ins such as the successful Greensboro sit-in in North Carolina and marches such as the Selma to Montgomery marches in Alabama

Unit IX 1976-Present
In this unit we find a period of modernization and integration of cultures between the white and the blacks. African American representation in legislative assembly has increased tremendously in the late 20th century. As a result of this, many opportunities opened up which enabled African Americans to be elected in the legislature, gain posts in the executive and to get positions in the judiciary. For example, Douglas Wilder was elected governor in 1989 becoming the first African American to hold that post in the U.S. Carol Moseley-Brian was elected to the American senate, becoming the first woman from African American people to hold that position (Lashley, Jackson, 1994). However, representation of African American in many spheres of the American economy is far from perfect despite the end of discrimination and modernization of the whole society.

Regardless of these achievements, the greater majority in America has remained predominantly white and they also own the largest share of wealth, while the neighborhoods experiencing the highest level of poverty is occupied by African Americans. In addition, modern public institutions may return to the era of segregation since in certain situations, the share of white students in public institutions is almost 99 percent (Faye, 1997). However, many accolades are given to the civil rights movement for creating a platform to better the lives of African Americans and put an end to racial discrimination.

Conclusion
As a result of this progression, economic, social and political lifestyle of African Americans has made great strides for the better. This is what enabled Jesse Jackson, the leader of civil rights movement, to be nominated to vie for presidency in 1984. A further appointment of African Americans in various positions of decision making has continued to portray their potential in the social-political and economic arena in America. Although their economic progress has been slow, their lifestyles have changed for the better. 0.25 percent of African Americans are classified among Americas economic elite and 13 percent of American population is made up of blacks. Their struggle for equality bore fruit and this was illustrated with the election of Barrack Obama as the first African American President in 2009.