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African American History Since the Civil War. dr. Liz Bryant. Conditions in early 20 th century America…. African Americans. Had to deal with: Jim Crow (South) Lynchings (mostly in South) Racism (North) Being treated like second class citizens
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African American History Since the Civil War dr. Liz Bryant
African Americans • Had to deal with: • Jim Crow (South) • Lynchings (mostly in South) • Racism (North) • Being treated like second class citizens • Things were not changing as quickly as black leaders would have liked
Brownsville Affair • Occurred between black soldiers and white townsfolk • Blacks • Came from all over the United States • Most were not used to the discrimination they faced in Texas
The Event • A white bartender was killed • A white police officer was shot
Locals Reaction • Accusations that black soldiers were behind the killings
Army’s (Initial) Reaction • All blacks were on base when the shootings occurred
Follow-Up • Whites were insistent it was black soldiers • Framed blacks by placing shell casings near the scene
Black Soldiers • Never given any trial
The President Gets Involved • Discharged 167 black servicemen • Remember, they had NOT been found guilty or even put on trial • Most had served in the army for over 20 years and were close to retirement • Lost their pensions
Reaction of Others • African-Americans= outraged • Booker T Washington= privately asks Roosevelt to reconsider his decision (Roosevelt refuses) • Senate= looks into the affair but supports Roosevelt
Brownsville Affair • During the 1970s, there was a new investigation and it was found that the soldiers had nothing to do with the killings
Atlanta • Center of New South • Strong Economy
African-Americans in Atlanta • Many black intellectuals • Had 6 black colleges • HOWEVER, Jim Crow laws prevailed • Known as one of THE most segregated cities in America
Lead Up to the Riot • Allegations black men were attacking white women • Plays into racial stereotypes of the time
Riot • Over 10,000 whites gather to attack African-Americans • “Kill the niggers!”
Aftermath of the Attack • 25 official black deaths • Unofficially, closer to 100 died
NAACP • NAACP= National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
NAACP • Idea for the organization came from white liberals • Called together 60 people • 53 whites • 7 blacks
Goal • Enforcement of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments
Organization • Chapters existed throughout the country • Grew quickly • 1917- 9000 members • 1918- 165 branches and 43,994 members • 1919- over 90,000 members and 300 branches
Guinn v. U.S. • Challenged the Grandfather law in Oklahoma
Buchanan v. Warley • Challenged the city of Louisville only allowing African-Americans to buy property in certain parts of town
Du Bois • Offered position of the Director of Publicity and Research
The Crisis • Official magazine of the NAACP • Du Bois= Editor • Discussed racism in its many forms • Over 100,000 subscribers by 1920
Ida B Wells • Left because she felt the NAACP lacked action based initiatives