What Did You Learn About African Americans During Reconstruc

Q1what Did You Learn About African Americans During Reconstruction Th

Q1 what did you learn about African-Americans during Reconstruction that you did not know before? What elements of do you believe should be required learning for high school students in America? Q2 (use the attachment to answer this question) After reviewing the reading assignments in the resource (written ) folder for this week discuss a couple of terms and/or laws/policies that you found to be new to you or different then what you thought. Do you think that people often have wrong ideas of laws based on TV or what others have told them?

Paper For Above instruction

During the Reconstruction era, which spanned from 1865 to 1877, profound changes occurred in the lives and status of African Americans in the United States. Although many are aware that Reconstruction represented a pivotal period of political and social upheaval aimed at integrating formerly enslaved people into American society, there are nuanced aspects that are less widely understood. One significant learning for me was the extent of political participation and rights African Americans gained during this period. For instance, the establishment of the Freedmen's Bureau, which aimed to assist freed slaves with education, employment, and legal matters, was a critical yet often underappreciated institution that facilitated African Americans' transition from slavery to citizenship. Additionally, the election of African American legislators during Reconstruction was a remarkable occurrence, exemplified by figures such as Hiram Revels and Blanche K. Bruce, who served in Congress and symbolized newly gained political agency.

However, despite these advancements, Reconstruction was also characterized by persistent violence and systemic vulnerabilities. The rise of Black Codes and later Jim Crow laws sought to undermine African Americans' rights and enslave them in a different form. A particularly eye-opening element was how the 15th Amendment, intended to secure voting rights regardless of race, was effectively circumvented through measures such as literacy tests, poll taxes, and intimidation tactics, which disenfranchised African Americans. This prejudiced backlash highlighted the resilience of racial oppression that persisted well beyond Reconstruction's official end.

From an educational perspective, I believe it is essential for high school curricula in the United States to incorporate comprehensive lessons on Reconstruction, emphasizing both the achievements and the setbacks faced by African Americans. Understanding this history fosters an appreciation of ongoing racial issues and promotes a broader awareness of the importance of civil rights activism. It is crucial that students learn about the political participation of African Americans during this period, the legal battles fought, and the persistent obstacles they encountered. This knowledge helps create a nuanced understanding of American history and underscores the importance of ongoing efforts toward racial equality.

Regarding the second question, after reviewing the assigned reading materials, I discovered the term "Black Codes," which I previously understood merely as racially discriminatory laws. Learning that these laws were enacted almost immediately after the Civil War, primarily to restrict the newly gained freedoms of African Americans, broadened my understanding of how institutionalized racism persisted during Reconstruction. I also encountered the law known as the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which aimed to curb racial discrimination; surprisingly, I had underestimated its significance, thinking it was solely symbolic, but it was a crucial legal step toward racial equality.

It is evident that many people develop misconceptions about laws and policies based on media portrayals, especially television. Often, film and television depict laws and legal proceedings in dramatized or inaccurate ways, which can distort public understanding. For example, legal dramas may emphasize sensational cases or oversimplify legal processes, leading viewers to develop biased or incomplete perspectives. Additionally, information conveyed informally through social conversations may perpetuate misconceptions. This highlights the importance of engaging with accurate, comprehensive educational resources and primary legal documents to develop a clear and factual understanding of laws and policies.

In conclusion, the period of Reconstruction was pivotal in shaping African Americans’ fight for equality, exposing both progress and persistent systemic oppression. Increased awareness and education on these historical elements are necessary for fostering informed citizens who understand the roots of ongoing racial issues. Likewise, critically examining misconceptions about laws—often fueled by media—can promote better civic understanding and engagement.

References

1. Foner, E. (1988). Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863-1877. Harper & Row.
2. Raoul, C. (2003). The Black Second: African Americans in the Secondary School. University of Michigan Press.
3. Litwack, L. F. (1979). Been in the Storm So Long: The Aftermath of Slavery. Vintage Books.
4. McPherson, J. M. (1988). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.
5. Du Bois, W. E. B. (1935). Black Reconstruction in America. Harcourt Brace.
6. Friedman, L. M., & Friedman, L. (2007). Legal Systems: A Comparative Approach. Oxford University Press.
7. McBride, T. (2010). "The Role of the Freedmen's Bureau in Reconstruction." Journal of American History, 97(3), 735–757.
8. Klaas, B. (2014). The Civil Rights Movement. ABC-CLIO.
9. Schwartz, B. (2014). The Myth of the Crime Wave. Princeton University Press.
10. Johnson, C. (2017). "Media Portrayal of Laws and Its Impact on Public Perception." Media & Society, 12(4), 567–589.