The condition of people who were in a state of slavery could be characterized as people unable to benefit from the results of their labor. Furthermore, such work is not done with their consent – they are deprived of the right to refuse to work (Foner 565). On the other hand, freed people are those who can enjoy the fruits of their labor and take care of themselves (Foner 565). In order to achieve this, slaves must be granted the right to own land and to grow food-grade crops on it. The emancipation from slavery that occurred during the Reconstruction set the stage for further social movements to overcome inequality.
A radical change in the condition of America’s black population would occur during the Reconstruction. However, Sherman’s meeting with black leaders foreshadowed drastic changes in U.S. attitudes toward slaves (Foner 565). During this period comes the realization that rights should be extended to blacks as well. The development of schools, churches, and other institutions that would become the backbone of the African American community took place. However, as already noted, it will be a long time before these events occur.
The abolition of slavery at the end of the 19th century was taking place all over the world. In 1861 serfdom was abolished in Russia (Manaev); in 1863, the Netherlands abolished slavery in the colonies (The Associated Press). In 1862, Great Britain and the United States signed a bilateral treaty abolishing the slave trade (Richard 210). The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery throughout the state, was passed by Congress on January 31, 1865 (Foner 582). However, the slave trade continued in the Americas until the end of the 19th century. Some states ratified the abolition amendment more than 100 years after Congress’ historic decision.
With the end of the Civil War came a period in the U.S. history called Reconstruction of the South. All Southern states were divided into five districts, martial law was imposed, and radical changes were forcibly implemented. The country maintained its integrity and avoided becoming an appendage of the European powers (Foner 575). The U.S. returned to the evolutionary path of development and formalized legitimate exit mechanisms from social conflicts.
However, the abolition of slavery did not make white and black citizens equal. In the South, blacks were persecuted by Ku Klux Klan racists (Foner 595). At the end of the nineteenth century, segregation laws arose there. They were collectively called Jim Crow laws, the name of a comic character whose face was painted with charcoal. African Americans and whites lived in different neighborhoods, rode in separate train cars, and interracial marriages were impossible. Illiterate people, that is, almost all African Americans, were denied the right to vote. In many ways, the success of Reconstructionist campaigns to end inequality has been a prototype for protests in modern times.
Black Lives Matter has been called the most prominent civil rights movement in American history. It began with mass protests against racism and police violence caused by the shooting of African-American George Floyd during his arrest in Minneapolis. It is worth noting that the influence of Black Lives Matter is not limited to supporters and opponents in the United States itself. The movement has spread to all five inhabited continents, including Africa, where demonstrations in its support have taken place. In addition, BLM activism has caused fundamental – and seemingly irreversible – changes in many countries’ society, culture, sports, and even science.
Works Cited
Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty!: An American History. W. W. Norton & Company, 2019.
Manaev, G. “How Abolishing Serfdom Led to the Russian Revolution.” Russia Beyond, 2019, Web.
Richards, Jake Christopher. “Anti-Slave-Trade Law, ‘Liberated Africans’ and the State in the South Atlantic World, C.1839–1852.” Past & Present, vol. 241, no. 1, 2018, pp. 179–219.
The Associated Press. “The Netherlands Marks Anniversary of Abolition of Slavery.” ABC News, Web.