Journey to Freedom Over time we have experienced a history of stunning accomplishments in every field of human endeavor, from literature and art to science, industry, education, diplomacy, athletics, jurisprudence, even polar exploration. The great African Americans of our history found something outside of themselves to use as a goal and a guide to overcome prejudice. With these strong people we were able to explore the struggle for freedom and civil rights in a society where racial segregation and discrimination knew no regional boundaries. Throughout the years, our nation has been through so much change involving our black Americans. Although the whites coming along through history may have thought that what they were doing was okay, it wasn’t. Whites thought that by setting the slaves free was enough for them. When African Americans demanded more, violence from whites broke out. Throughout time we are able to see the strength and the perseverance that black Americans had to fight for to get what they deserved. In 1865, the Civil War ended. Abraham Lincoln was the president during this time. Lincoln had played such an influential role in history. Having him around was the beginning of change. He stuck by his beliefs that all people were created in one image and should be created as equals. Not all sided with him. On April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. In that year, the 13th Amendment was ratified. This abolished slavery in the United States. Between 1865 and 1870, the 14th and 15th Amendments were ratified; the 14th Amendment defining citizenship and the 15th Amendment giving blacks the right to vote. This seemed like a new start for the black Americans but soon would lead into such violence and chaos. Between 1876 and 1965, the United States dealt with the Jim Crow laws in the state and local level. Jim Crow laws were racial segregation laws. These laws mainly occurred in the south. Coloreds were segregated from public schools, public transportation, restrooms, restaurants, and drinking fountains. It had previously restricted the Civil Rights and civil liberties of African Americans with no pretense of equality. Throughout the years, African Americans fought for equal rights. After World War II, the Great Depression hit the 1930’s. This event worsened the already bleak economic situation of black Americans. Not only was it a struggle for whites but a bigger one for blacks. During this time it became harder for African Americans to find jobs. Most businesses hired whites only. This launched a nation “jobs for Negroes” movement by boycotting chain stores that had mostly black customers but hired only white employees. Due to lack of work, blacks migrated to find homes and jobs for them and their families. This started a riot between blacks and whites. They were competing against each other for homes and jobs. Although discrimination remained widespread during the war, blacks secured more jobs at better wages in a greater range of occupations than ever before. The role of African Americans in the military expands as the United States enters World War II. In the course of war, however, the Army introduced integrated officer training. At the end of war, African Americans were poised to make reaching demands to end racism. They were unwilling to give up the minimal gains that had been made during the war. Although African Americans had participated in every major United States war, it was not until after World War II that President Harry S. Truman issued an executive order integrating the United States Armed Forces. The first phase of the Cold War began in the aftermath of the end of World War II. African American Civil Rights is one of the most studied and celebrated phenomena of the 20th century. This is the impact of the Cold War on domestic United States race politics and the process through which the war lessened resistance to Civil Rights movement demands. Race relations influenced