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The Constitution is signed
The Constitution is signed forming the base for all laws in our country. Not once does it mention slavery or black poeple at all. -
Slave Trade Ends
America started importing slaves from Africa via the trans- Atlantic slave trade. Slaves were brought here on the infamous slave trade ships. On February 22, 1807, is officially ends, but slavery is seen everywhere, espicially in southern states. This is just the start of blacks getting more freedom in America. -
The Civil War Starts
The Civil War started as a war for independence. The south wanted to make their own country, while the north wanted to stay as one. As time went on, the topic of slavery also was fought over. But blacks were not allowed at first to join the war on either side. -
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The Civil War
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The Emancipation Proclamation
This document signed by Presidant Lincon freed all slaves in the south. This enraged the southern states, who said Lincon didn't have the right to do that. Blacks could now start fighting for the Union Army. This helped the north throughout the war. -
The Civil War Ends
The Civil War officially end with Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendering to Union General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865. By this time 179,000 black men had served for the Union, almost 10% of the Army. 40,000 had died serving their country. -
The 13th Amendment
The 13th amendment states that neither slavery nor involuntary service is allowed in the United States of America unless it is a punishment for crime. Slavery is abolished. Blacks feel like they now have freedom in our country. -
The 14th amendment
Says “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life liberty or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” -
The Red Summer of 1919
Known as the Red Summer of 1919, the late summer and early fall months of the year 1919 held riots all over the nation. Black and white people can't work together, or even live with each other. Over fifty people die, hundreds are wounded. -
The Civil Rights Movement
Rosa Parks is arrested for refussing to give up her seat to a white man. The Civil Rights movement is said to have started at this time, but the date is unofficial. -
Martin Luther King Jr. is Assasinated
After King's assaination in 1968, the Civil Rights movement dies down. It is not because of King's assasination, and the Civil Rights movement never has an official end, but things r never as bad as they had been. -
Segregation in Schools
In a study taken at the school where the Little Rock Nine first went to desegregate America's schools (Little Rock Central High School), it was shown that the majority of the honors math class was made up of white people. The majority of black people that went to the school were in either the average or lower math classes. Is this because of blacks not trying as much or is it done on purpose? -
Today
16% of black people are unemployed. This is more than the national average (9.8%), and more than any other ethnic gruop in America. Again, is this their own doing, or is America prejudice?
