Question

How would you describe the priorities of African Americans in reconstructing their own lives in the aftermath of slavery following the end of the Civil War?

Answer 1

Following the end Civil war African Americans had their freedom, but still had to fight against severe poverty, racial discrimination in a new form of Black codes, gain education and to have dignified life. The top priorities of African Americans were to be economically independent, which was a difficult task for them because the brutalities of white prejudices still persisted in the form of new laws that made their life miserable, they were still exploited by laws such as Black codes, which on one hand gave freedom, but on the other hand denied equal participation in juries, denied to witness against whites, and to serve in militias. Thus, they were still denied from equal participation in society and were subjected to exploitation in subtle manner.

Access to education was of prime importance to them. They were denied to study with the whites, hence, they had separate schools. In every manner of civic life African Americans were treated as secondary citizens and were denied a dignified life, equality, justice and fairness. Thus, reconstruction of their own life was a very difficult task and this kept segregated and backward though they earned their freedom from slavery.