The American Revolution starting in 1775 and ending in 1783, ended British rule for most of the North American colonies and created the modern-day United States of America. The Revolutionary era was both stimulating and distressful, it was a time of progression for some, and breakdown for others. America was ready for modification, exemption and complete detachment from Great Britain.
Although, we had won the war, there were many people not free from our rule. Those people being the slaves. They had faced many struggles during this time period, including the slaves before the Civil war, during reconstruction, and during the civil rights movements. However, it was their battles that led to the advancement of the black race to social equality, and help shape American culture today. During the time before the Civil war, slavery was at its peak. Slave owners had full control over each and every slave. It was not easy for them to organize and rebel against their slaveholders. There were so many laws that took away slaves rights. Slaves also were terrified that if they were to act out against their slave owners, that they would be faced with torture and death. Although The Deceleration of Independence came into play in 1776, it did not apply to many groups of the black race. “ We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” (D.I)1. Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the document, realized that he could not free all the slaves himself. Him being a slave owner as well, maybe didn't want to get rid of slavery so soon. It was hard enough to get the document approved by the colonies, in fact the last man to sign The Deceleration of Independence did not do so until 1778. The slaves were kept behind closed doors, without any knowledge that could lead them to possible freedom. Laws were very harsh, they forbid any reading or writing for slaves. They also wouldn't allow anyone to teach them how to read or write. To keep the slaves in order, their slaveholders would beat them or even kill them to show the other slaves that they weren't fooling around. This era mainly describes the times where black people had no say in their 2 future and in society as a whole. People in the north thought very differently then those in the south. The people of the north were considered abolitionists. This meant that the people were devoted to freeing the slaves and did not believe in slavery. Meanwhile, the southerners disagreed with their views. They believed in so powerfully in slavery and broke away from the union causing the split between the colonies. The dividing of the two, led to the Civil War, resulting in freedom for the slaves. “ And by virtue of the power and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order that all personas held as slaves within said designated States and parts of States are, and henceforward shall be, free; and that the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.” (D.I2). This document taken from Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation was a huge step towards the equality of African Americans. This brought in the Reconstruction Era that was very important to the black rights movement. The Reconstruction period brought in new laws including that blacks have the right to own land, and men have the right to vote.
“ The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States of by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition or servitude.” (D.I3). This statement meant that it was amended in the Constitution, but unfortunately, whites still found ways around these laws. Problems arose when some states started to enforce black codes. Meaning that black men could not vote, if he could not