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The first enslaved Africans were brought to Jamestown, Virginia. Marked the beginning of institutionalized slavery in America. Key players were English colonists and enslaved Africans.
Source: https://www.history.com/articles/black-history-milestones -
Laws were created to control enslaved Africans and racial hierarchy. This legalized slavery and restricted the freedom of African Americans. The key players were colonial legislatures and enslaved Africans.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dred_Scott_v._Sandford -
President Lincoln declared freedom for enslaved people in Confederate states. This was a big step towards ending slavery, though full freedom required Union victory. The key players were Abraham Lincoln and enslaved African Americans.
Source: https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/civil-rights-act/legal-events-timeline.html -
Efforts to include African Americans politically and socially met with restrictive Black Codes. Gave rights but also reinforced racial segregation and inequality. Key players were African Americans, Southern states, federal government.
Source: https://www.history.com/articles/black-codes -
Abolished slavery in the United States. Legally freed all enslaved African Americans. Key players were the U.S. Congress and African Americans.
Source: https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/civil-rights-act/legal-events-timeline.html -
Supreme Court decision upholding racial segregation. Legally sanctioned segregation for decades, restating systemic inequality. Key players include Homer Plessy and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Source: https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/plessy-v-ferguson -
Millions of African Americans moved from the rural South to the urban North. Wanting better jobs, education, and freedom from Jim Crow laws, and changing urban culture. Key players include African American families and Northern cities.
Source: https://www.history.com/articles/great-migration -
The Supreme Court decided to segregate schools unconstitutionally. Legal victory for civil rights, challenging segregation nationwide. Key players include Oliver Brown and Supreme Court justices.
Source: https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/brown-v-board-of-education -
Outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Major legal step toward equality and integration in public spaces and employment. Key players include President Lyndon B. Johnson and civil rights activists.
Source: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/regulatory/statutes/title-vi-civil-rights-act-of-1964 -
Prohibited racial discrimination in voting. Ensured African Americans could participate in elections and influence government. Key players include Martin Luther King Jr, Congress, and African American voters.
Source: https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/voting-rights-act