African Americans...
Free...or not free?
After the Reconstruction, African Americans were free and had almost all the rights that white people had.
Many laws and regulations were made to ensure their freedom.
Civil Rights Act
This stated that African Americans should have the same rights as white people. it allowed blacks to go on public transportation, go into public bathrooms, ect. it also stated that if anybody went against this, they'll be punished.
The 14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment, was ratified in July 1868, and it granted citizenship to "All persons born or naturalized in the United States. This included former slaves that were now free. it forbid states from denying people "Life, liberty, and property, without the due process of law" If you went against this, just like the Civil Rights Act, you would be punished.
The picture above is promoting freedom for blacks. it is a picture of a black man being handed the Civil Rights Act, his freedom, by white hands, Lady Liberty. Lady Liberty is a symbol of our freedom. It was published in the newspaper Harpers Weekly in 1875 promote freedom for African Americans, and to say that they have the same rights as everyone else.
So…free or not free?
FREE!! Many laws were made so that blacks could have the same rights as everyone else. They could do exactly what whites did, and they were even considered citizens of the United States. Although they were looked down apon by almsot all white people, they had the freedom to do whatever they wanted.
Citations
Evidence 1: 1875 "The Civil Rights Act" Social Service review 38.3 (1964) 328-29 1875
Evidence 2: "Primary documents in American History" 14 Amendment to the constitution cirtual programs services liberty of congress N.P
Evidence 3: "Harpers Weekly" N.P 24 Apr. 1875