Slavery Following the Civil War Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 7500 words

Slavery Following the Civil War - Research Paper Example tely following the Civil War 13 Rebuilding their Lives 13 Differing Expectations 15 The Reconstruction 16 The Fight for Rights 17 The Plantations 19 Development of an Identity 22 An Identity as a Race 22 There was no doubt that the blacks were distinct culturally from the whites in many ways, and there were two predominant schools of thought concerning how blacks and whites should interact with each other at public locations such as churches. One school of thought was to encourage integration, the mixing of the two cultures. This involved, in concept, blacks and whites attending the same churches, the same schools, and there being no racial distinction within these areas. The second opinion was of segregation and isolation. Segregation consisted of the two races attending the same areas, but within those places the whites sitting in one area and the blacks in another. Isolation by contrast involved distinct communities and locations for blacks and whites. For example, some black Chri stian’s tired of the segregation that was occurring within their church choose to leave and start a congregation entirely for blacks. Churches soon became a place of sanctuary and self reflection, as those that were exclusively for blacks became areas that they had sole control over. Within the church walls debates could rage at length about any number of topics, such as economics, social standing and politics, topics which expression their opinion of on the public stage would have been frowned upon or even dangerous. 22 Identity as an Individual 23 Importance of Family 24 Black Suffrage 25 Laws 25 Was Emancipation Successful? 27 Black Oppression 28 Not Slavery, but Oppression and Servitude 28 Segregation 29 Present Day 30 Conclusion 32 In 1865 nationwide abolishment of slavery was... The paper tells that prior to the American Civil war, slavery was common within the Union; it was an institution and a way of life that had existed since the early European colonists. The use of slaves was especially prevalent in the Southern states, where they had a strong role in the plantation economy. Slavery was one of the driving forces for the American Civil War which ran from 1861to 1865, spearheaded by newly elected President Abraham Lincoln. The four year Civil War was a point of significant change for the United States, resulting in the abolishment of slavery from all of the States by the end of the Reconstruction period. Those who had been slaves prior to the Civil War were freed as a consequence of the outcome and given full control of their own lives. For many this was the first time they had ever had freedom, and most sought to find economic independence as well as the ability to determine their own working and living times. The death of slavery in practice was not as immediate as it appears through examining the changes in law. The Reconstruction period which followed the Civil War showed clearly the reluctance of Democrats, particularly in the South, to accept blacks no longer being slaves and being given equal rights. This was enforced through state law where Democratic majority existed, or through secret societies such as the Ku Klux Clan in the states where the Republicans were prominent. For many freed slaves their manner of life did not change for many years.