Black History Month

Lessons and Resources for Black History Month

BEGINNINGS The ancestors of many black Americans came to America not as willing immigrants, but as captured slaves. As such, the promises of the Declaration of Independence for “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” were denied them and except for purposes of state representation, they were ignored by the original Constitution. Victims of a vicious system of slavery, they endured, resisted, and made many contributions to the United States, but the struggle for freedom and equality had just begun. An Overview of the African American Experience The Slave Trade The Constitution and Slavery Slavery in the American South Moving Toward Equality Under Law
CIVIL WAR During the Civil War, the future of the Union and African Americans hung in the balance. Blacks made a significant contribution to the eventual Union victory by providing some 180,000 troops out of the approximately 2.2 million men who served the Northern cause. One of the fruits of victory was the passage of the so-called Civil War amendments to the U.S. Constitution, one of which, the 15th Amendment, promised black males the right to vote. Black Troops in Union Blue 15th Amendment
ERA OF LEGAL SEGREGATION The end of slavery did not bring equality to African Americans. Almost immediately, Southern states began passing laws to oppress black people and the end of Reconstruction in 1877 spurred more legislation designed to segregate African Americans and deny them rights enjoyed by white Americans, including voting. Jim Crow Race and Voting in the Segregated South
THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT The modern civil rights movement in America took place from the mid-1950s through the early 1970s. This turbulent period transformed America, changing it into a society with greater racial equality. This huge sprawling movement can be divided into three parts. One is social activism—the protests, demonstrations, and boycotts. Another is the legal struggle that took place in courts. The third occurred in the legislative arena to enact civil rights laws. Social Protests In the Courts The Civil Rights Act of 1964 The Voting Rights Act of 1965
VOICES FOR CHANGE The civil rights movement can trace its roots to a variety of leaders and thinkers, and in turn its successes influenced others. At the turn of the 20th century, W.E.B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington, and Marcus Garvey outlined different visions for the future of blacks in America. Martin Luther King Jr. found inspiration for the tactics of civil disobedience in the works and actions of Henry David Thoreau and Mahatma Gandhi and in turn influenced Cesar Chavez. Thurgood Marshall, perhaps best known for being the first African-American U.S. Supreme Court justice, was an untiring lawyer who litigated many significant civil rights cases leading up to Brown v. Board of Education. Frederick Douglass W.E.B. Du Bois Booker T. Washington Marcus Garvey Henry David Thoreau Mohandas Gandhi Cesar Chavez Thurgood Marshall Jackie Robinson PROMINENT AFRICAN AMERICANS African Americans have enriched every aspect of American society and culture. They have made great contributions to politics, law, business, literature, the arts, entertainment, sports, science, and many other fields. 75 Remarkable African Americans Literature by and about African Americans Films on the African-American Experience TAKING ACTION Though Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is often remembered as a leader and inspiration in America’s civil rights movement, near the end of his life he also became a strong advocate for peace and for the poor of all races. Among his legacies is that individuals and groups must be willing to sacrifice and work for positive change. Today, the United States and the world face daunting challenges. To address them, all of us must be informed and engaged in seeking solutions in our neighborhoods, communities, country, and globally. Let us celebrate the contributions of Dr. King by making our own contributions to positive change. Guide for Positive Change — Students can make positive changes in their school and communities by working together to plan and conduct projects.