Introduction to AmericanIntroduction to American
Studies IIStudies II
African American CultureAfrican American Culture
End of ReconstructionEnd of Reconstruction
End of Reconstruction in 1876End of Reconstruction in 1876
Introduction of new system of segregationIntroduction of new system of segregation
""Jim CrowJim Crow""
Segregation in public facilitiesSegregation in public facilities
Denial of voting rightsDenial of voting rights
Literacy requirementsLiteracy requirements
Poll taxesPoll taxes
Complex voting systemsComplex voting systems
GerrymanderingGerrymandering
PlessyPlessy v.v. FergusonFerguson (1896)(1896)
""Separate but equal facilitiesSeparate but equal facilities""
Violation of laws and customs was punishedViolation of laws and customs was punished
LegalLegal
NonNon--legallegal
Ku Klux Klan (KKK)Ku Klux Klan (KKK)
LynchingLynching
Between 1889 and 1918, a minimum of 2,522 blackBetween 1889 and 1918, a minimum of 2,522 black
Americans were lynched, 50 of them women.Americans were lynched, 50 of them women.
They were hanged, burned alive, or hacked to death.They were hanged, burned alive, or hacked to death.
According to the mythology popular at the time, black men wereAccording to the mythology popular at the time, black men were
lynched because they had raped white women, yet historianslynched because they had raped white women, yet historians
find that in eighty percent of the cases there were no sexualfind that in eighty percent of the cases there were no sexual
charges alleged, let alone proved.charges alleged, let alone proved.
People were lynched for petty offenses such as stealing a cow,People were lynched for petty offenses such as stealing a cow,
arguing with a white man, talkingarguing with a white man, talking ""freshfresh"" to a white woman orto a white woman or
attempting to register to vote.attempting to register to vote.
LynchingsLynchings continued across the United States throughcontinued across the United States through
the 1960s.the 1960s.
One of the most infamous was the lynching of 14One of the most infamous was the lynching of 14--year oldyear old
Emmett Till in Mississippi in 1955Emmett Till in Mississippi in 1955
Lynching victimLynching victim
George Meadows,George Meadows,
described as adescribed as a
""murderer & rapist,murderer & rapist,""
circa 1889circa 1889
The lynching of LauraThe lynching of Laura
Nelson in 1911 inNelson in 1911 in
Okemah, OklahomaOkemah, Oklahoma
She had tried toShe had tried to
protect her sonprotect her son
She was hanged fromShe was hanged from
a bridge alongsidea bridge alongside
himhim
1919 lynching William Brown in1919 lynching William Brown in
Douglas County (Omaha),Douglas County (Omaha),
NebraskaNebraska
A lynching that took place in Duluth,A lynching that took place in Duluth,
Minnesota in 1920.Minnesota in 1920.
The lynching of Thomas Shipp and AbrahamThe lynching of Thomas Shipp and Abraham
Smith in Marion, Indiana on August 7, 1930Smith in Marion, Indiana on August 7, 1930
The lynching of Rubin Stacy, JulyThe lynching of Rubin Stacy, July
19, 1935, Fort Lauderdale, Florida19, 1935, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Emmett TillEmmett Till
Emmett Till of Chicago wasEmmett Till of Chicago was
lynched in the summer of 1995lynched in the summer of 1995
in Money, Mississippi by Royin Money, Mississippi by Roy
Bryant and J.W. Milan forBryant and J.W. Milan for
""flirtingflirting"" with thewith the formerformer''ss wifewife
in the store where she workedin the store where she worked
The men were tried and foundThe men were tried and found
innocent.innocent.
They later sold their story ofThey later sold their story of
the events for $4000 tothe events for $4000 to LookLook
MagazineMagazine, where they, where they
admitted killing Till.admitted killing Till.
Blacks in the South subjected to new laborBlacks in the South subjected to new labor
systemsystem
SharecroppingSharecropping
Resolved problem of land and laborResolved problem of land and labor
Essentially became a form of debt slaveryEssentially became a form of debt slavery
Many still lived in the slave cabins theyMany still lived in the slave cabins they
had occupied before the Civil Warhad occupied before the Civil War
Cotton prices in the late 19Cotton prices in the late 19thth
declinedecline
continuouslycontinuously
This further lowers Black income andThis further lowers Black income and
standards of livingstandards of living
To every one applying to rent land uponTo every one applying to rent land upon
shares, the following conditions must beshares, the following conditions must be
read andread and agreed toagreed to..
To every 30 or 35 acres, I agree toTo every 30 or 35 acres, I agree to
furnish the team, plow, and farmingfurnish the team, plow, and farming
implements, except cotton planters, and Iimplements, except cotton planters, and I
do notdo not agree to furnish a cart to everyagree to furnish a cart to every
cropper. The croppers are to have half ofcropper. The croppers are to have half of
the cotton, corn and fodder (and peas andthe cotton, corn and fodder (and peas and
pumpkins and potatoes if any are planted)pumpkins and potatoes if any are planted)
if the following conditions are compliedif the following conditions are complied
with, butwith, but ­­ if notif not ­­ they are to have onlythey are to have only
twotwo--fifths.fifths.
1882 Sharecropper Contract (Grimes Plantation,1882 Sharecropper Contract (Grimes Plantation,
Pitt County, North Carolina)Pitt County, North Carolina)
Croppers are to have no part or interest inCroppers are to have no part or interest in
the cotton seed raised from the cropthe cotton seed raised from the crop
planted and worked by them. No vineplanted and worked by them. No vine
crops of any description, that is nocrops of any description, that is no
watermelonswatermelons......squashes or anything ofsquashes or anything of
that kindthat kind......are to [be] planted in theare to [be] planted in the
cotton or corn. All must work under mycotton or corn. All must work under my
direction. All plantation work to be donedirection. All plantation work to be done
by the croppersby the croppers........
All croppers must clean out the stablesAll croppers must clean out the stables
and fill them with straw,and fill them with straw,......whenever Iwhenever I
direct. All the cotton must bedirect. All the cotton must be manuredmanured,,
and enough fertilizer must be brought toand enough fertilizer must be brought to
manure each crop highly, the croppers tomanure each crop highly, the croppers to
pay for one half of all manure bought, thepay for one half of all manure bought, the
quantity to be purchased for each cropquantity to be purchased for each crop
must be left to me.must be left to me.
No cropper to work off the plantationNo cropper to work off the plantation
when there is any work to be done on thewhen there is any work to be done on the
land he has rented, or when his work island he has rented, or when his work is
needed by me or other croppersneeded by me or other croppers........
Every cropper must be responsible for allEvery cropper must be responsible for all
gear and farming implements placed in hisgear and farming implements placed in his
hands, and if not returned must be paidhands, and if not returned must be paid
for unless it is worn out by use.for unless it is worn out by use.
Croppers must sow and plow in oats andCroppers must sow and plow in oats and
hall them to the crib, but musthall them to the crib, but must have nohave no
part of thempart of them. Nothing to be sold from. Nothing to be sold from
their crops, nor fodder, nor corn to betheir crops, nor fodder, nor corn to be
carried out of the fields until my rent is allcarried out of the fields until my rent is all
paid, and all amounts they owe me andpaid, and all amounts they owe me and
for which I am responsible are paid in fullfor which I am responsible are paid in full
........
The sale of every cropperThe sale of every cropper''s part of thes part of the
cotton to be made by me when and wherecotton to be made by me when and where
I choose to sell, and after deducting allI choose to sell, and after deducting all
they may owe me and all sums that I maythey may owe me and all sums that I may
be responsible for on their accounts, tobe responsible for on their accounts, to
pay them their half of the net proceeds.pay them their half of the net proceeds.
Work of every description, particularly theWork of every description, particularly the
work on fences and ditches to be done towork on fences and ditches to be done to
my satisfaction, and must be done overmy satisfaction, and must be done over
until I am satisfied that it is done as ituntil I am satisfied that it is done as it
should be . . . .should be . . . .
Great MigrationGreat Migration
Beginning in late 19Beginning in late 19thth centurycentury
Blacks begin to move out of the southBlacks begin to move out of the south
Taking jobs in new factories springing up in the NorthTaking jobs in new factories springing up in the North
From 1910 to the midFrom 1910 to the mid--1920s between 300,000 and 1,000,0001920s between 300,000 and 1,000,000
Blacks migrated NorthBlacks migrated North
The African American media, led by newspapers such asThe African American media, led by newspapers such as
thethe Chicago DefenderChicago Defender, actively encourage this internal, actively encourage this internal
immigrationimmigration
Establishment of large, urban populations in the NorthEstablishment of large, urban populations in the North
New York City (Harlem)New York City (Harlem)
DetroitDetroit
ChicagoChicago
ClevelandCleveland
Change in the structure of AfricanChange in the structure of African
American population in the USAmerican population in the US
Black Population TrendsBlack Population Trends
1890s1890s 1960s1960s
SouthernSouthern 90.3%90.3% 10%10%
RuralRural 90%90% 5%5%
NorthernNorthern 9.7%9.7% 90%90%
UrbanUrban 10%10% 95%95%
""Checking Migration,Checking Migration,"" ChicagoChicago
DefenderDefender, v.14, n. 32, August 9, 1919., v.14, n. 32, August 9, 1919.
THE WORLD KNOWS the efforts put forth by the South to retain ourTHE WORLD KNOWS the efforts put forth by the South to retain our labor.labor.
We were made the victims of unjust homeWe were made the victims of unjust home--made laws, picked up by themade laws, picked up by the
police for no reason at all except that some contractor had sentpolice for no reason at all except that some contractor had sent in a call forin a call for
more convict labor, and the grafting public officials proceededmore convict labor, and the grafting public officials proceeded to supply theto supply the
demand. In this respect the South is an enigma. It wants us anddemand. In this respect the South is an enigma. It wants us and it doesn'tit doesn't
want us. The truth is it wants us as serfs and vassals, but notwant us. The truth is it wants us as serfs and vassals, but not as men andas men and
citizens. The conditions upon which it wants us never will be cocitizens. The conditions upon which it wants us never will be complied with.mplied with.
THE FACT is becoming apparent more and more every day that anTHE FACT is becoming apparent more and more every day that an
enlightened and educated people of whatever race or nationalityenlightened and educated people of whatever race or nationality cannot becannot be
held as serfs and vassals. The South is destined to become a barheld as serfs and vassals. The South is destined to become a barren wasteren waste
and a deserted wilderness if it persists in its indefensible metand a deserted wilderness if it persists in its indefensible methods tohods to
brutalize, humiliate and subjugate the members of our group resibrutalize, humiliate and subjugate the members of our group residing there.ding there.
As we advance in education and wealth we become more and moreAs we advance in education and wealth we become more and more
equipped to protect and defendequipped to protect and defend ourselfourself and family against injustice andand family against injustice and
wrong. The white South may as well realize now as later that thewrong. The white South may as well realize now as later that the day isday is
past when it can with impunity and with safety murder Colored mepast when it can with impunity and with safety murder Colored men andn and
brutalize our women. Migration will therefore continue to be onebrutalize our women. Migration will therefore continue to be one of theof the
means employed to bring about the desired change.means employed to bring about the desired change.
Images of the Great MigrationImages of the Great Migration
Jacob Lawrence (1917Jacob Lawrence (1917--2000) series2000) series TheThe
Migration of the American NegroMigration of the American Negro
Begun in 1940Begun in 1940
Consists of 60 paintings with captionsConsists of 60 paintings with captions
""In every townIn every town
Negroes were leavingNegroes were leaving
by the hundreds to goby the hundreds to go
North and enter intoNorth and enter into
Northern industry.Northern industry.""
""And the migrantsAnd the migrants
kept coming.kept coming.""
""During the WorldDuring the World
War there was aWar there was a
great migration Northgreat migration North
by Southernby Southern
Negroes.Negroes.""
""They arrived in Pittsburgh,They arrived in Pittsburgh,
one of the great industrialone of the great industrial
cities of the North, in largecities of the North, in large
numbers.numbers.""
Another of the social causes ofAnother of the social causes of
the migrants' leaving was thatthe migrants' leaving was that
at times they did not feel safe,at times they did not feel safe,
or it was not the best thing toor it was not the best thing to
be found on the streets late atbe found on the streets late at
night. They were arrested onnight. They were arrested on
the slightest provocation.the slightest provocation.
""In many cities in the NorthIn many cities in the North
where the Negroes had beenwhere the Negroes had been
overcrowded in their ownovercrowded in their own
living quarters they attemptedliving quarters they attempted
to spread out. This resulted into spread out. This resulted in
many of the race riots and themany of the race riots and the
bombing of Negro homes.bombing of Negro homes.""
Harlem RenaissanceHarlem Renaissance
Artistic movement of the 1920s based in HarlemArtistic movement of the 1920s based in Harlem
Marked first major impact of Black artists in a number of artistMarked first major impact of Black artists in a number of artisticic
fieldsfields
Conscious use of African symbols and imageryConscious use of African symbols and imagery
Impact far beyond American bordersImpact far beyond American borders
Africa, Europe (Paris)Africa, Europe (Paris)
LiteratureLiterature
Langston Hughes (1902Langston Hughes (1902--1967),1967), ZoraZora NealeNeale Hurston (1891Hurston (1891--1960),1960),
CounteeCountee Cullen (1903Cullen (1903--1946), Claude McKay (18891946), Claude McKay (1889--1948), Jean1948), Jean ToomerToomer
(1894(1894--1967)1967)
MusicMusic
Jazz (Jazz Age) and BluesJazz (Jazz Age) and Blues
Louis Armstrong (1901Louis Armstrong (1901--1971), Duke Ellington (18991971), Duke Ellington (1899--1974), Billie Holliday1974), Billie Holliday
(1901(1901--1959)1959)
Fine ArtsFine Arts
Aaron Douglas (1898Aaron Douglas (1898--1979),1979), SargentSargent Johnson (1888Johnson (1888--1967)1967)
TheaterTheater
Paul Robeson (1898Paul Robeson (1898--1976), Josephine Baker (19061976), Josephine Baker (1906--1975)1975)
Langston Hughes:Langston Hughes: ""The Negro Speaks of RiversThe Negro Speaks of Rivers""
11 I've known rivers:I've known rivers:
22 I've known rivers ancient as the world andI've known rivers ancient as the world and
older than theolder than the
33 flow of human blood in human veins.flow of human blood in human veins.
44 My soul has grown deep like the rivers.My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
55 I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns wereI bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were
young.young.
66 I built my hut near the Congo and it lulledI built my hut near the Congo and it lulled
me to sleep.me to sleep.
77 I looked upon the Nile and raised theI looked upon the Nile and raised the
pyramids above it.pyramids above it.
88 I heard the singing of the Mississippi whenI heard the singing of the Mississippi when
Abe LincolnAbe Lincoln
99 went down to New Orleans, and I've seenwent down to New Orleans, and I've seen
its muddyits muddy
1010 bosom turn all golden in the sunset.bosom turn all golden in the sunset.
1111 I've known rivers:I've known rivers:
1212 Ancient, dusky rivers.Ancient, dusky rivers.
1313 My soul has grown deep like the rivers.My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
First published inFirst published in The CrisisThe Crisis (1921) and then in(1921) and then in
his collectionhis collection The Weary BluesThe Weary Blues (1926)(1926)
ZoraZora Neal Hurston,Neal Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching GodTheir Eyes Were Watching God
CounteeCountee Cullen,Cullen, ""The IncidentThe Incident""
Claude McKay,Claude McKay, ""If We Must DieIf We Must Die"",, Home to HarlemHome to Harlem
JeanJean ToomerToomer,, CaneCane
Louis Armstrong and the Hot Five, Hot SevenLouis Armstrong and the Hot Five, Hot Seven
Duke EllingtonDuke Ellington
Billie Holliday,Billie Holliday, ""Strange FruitStrange Fruit"" (1939)(1939)
This song is based on a poem written by a Jewish school teacherThis song is based on a poem written by a Jewish school teacher
from the Bronx named Abelfrom the Bronx named Abel MeerpolMeerpol in 1936 about the 1930in 1936 about the 1930
lynching in Marion, Indianalynching in Marion, Indiana
Paul RobesonPaul Robeson
Actor, singer, politicalActor, singer, political
activistactivist
In the 1950s the USIn the 1950s the US
governmentgovernment
confiscated hisconfiscated his
passportpassport
Here shown playingHere shown playing
Othello in 1943Othello in 1943
L: Paul Robeson sings at a meeting attended byL: Paul Robeson sings at a meeting attended by DuBoisDuBois,,
New York, N.Y., ca. 1959New York, N.Y., ca. 1959
R: Paul Robeson at an AntiR: Paul Robeson at an Anti--Lynch Rally in Washington,Lynch Rally in Washington,
D.C., 1946D.C., 1946
Josephine BakerJosephine Baker
Josephine BakerJosephine Baker
electrified Paris in theelectrified Paris in the
1920 and 30s with1920 and 30s with
herher ""exoticexotic"" dancingdancing
and her voiceand her voice
A. Douglas:A. Douglas: Song of the TowersSong of the Towers
A. Douglas:A. Douglas: Aspects of Negro Life: FromAspects of Negro Life: From
Slavery Through ReconstructionSlavery Through Reconstruction
A. Douglas:A. Douglas: Aspects of Negro Life: TheAspects of Negro Life: The
Negro in AfricaNegro in Africa
SargentSargent JohnsonJohnson
Black Civil Rights MovementBlack Civil Rights Movement
NAACPNAACP
National Association for the Advancement of Colored PeopleNational Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Established 1909Established 1909
Had many Black and white members, most funding came from richHad many Black and white members, most funding came from rich
white sympathizerswhite sympathizers
W. E. B.W. E. B. DuBoisDuBois (1868(1868--1963) was the leading Black member in the first1963) was the leading Black member in the first
half of the 20half of the 20thth CenturyCentury
Led legal challenges to segregation and attempted to have a FedeLed legal challenges to segregation and attempted to have a Federalral
antianti--lynching law passed (unsuccessfully)lynching law passed (unsuccessfully)
During the 1940s/50s, Chief CounselDuring the 1940s/50s, Chief Counsel ThurgoodThurgood Marshall (1908Marshall (1908--1993)1993)
led the federal court cases that culminated inled the federal court cases that culminated in Brown v. Board ofBrown v. Board of
EducationEducation (1954)(1954)
SCLCSCLC
Southern Christian Leadership ConferenceSouthern Christian Leadership Conference
Established 1957Established 1957
Made up of ministers from predominately Black churchesMade up of ministers from predominately Black churches
First leader was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.First leader was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Best known for organizingBest known for organizing ""nonnon--violentviolent"" resistance to segregationresistance to segregation
across the Southacross the South
Montgomery Bus BoycottMontgomery Bus Boycott
1955/561955/56
Rosa Parks, a Black woman refused to give up herRosa Parks, a Black woman refused to give up her
seat to a white passenger and was arrestedseat to a white passenger and was arrested
Black citizens of Montgomery, AL organized a 381Black citizens of Montgomery, AL organized a 381--dayday
boycottboycott
LunchLunch--counter sitcounter sit--insins
Organized by students to protest segregation inOrganized by students to protest segregation in
eating facilitieseating facilities
First held in Greensboro, NC in 1960First held in Greensboro, NC in 1960
Led to the development of studentLed to the development of student--led civil rightsled civil rights
movementmovement
Freedom Rides (1963)Freedom Rides (1963)
Protested segregation in interstate bus transportationProtested segregation in interstate bus transportation
March on Washington (August 28, 1963)March on Washington (August 28, 1963)
Massive civil rights protest in Washington, D. C.Massive civil rights protest in Washington, D. C.
MLK delivers his famous speechMLK delivers his famous speech ""I have a dreamI have a dream""
End to legal segregationEnd to legal segregation
Civil Rights Act of 1964Civil Rights Act of 1964
Based on 14Based on 14thth
AmendmentAmendment
Banned segregation in public facilitiesBanned segregation in public facilities
Voting Rights Act of 1965Voting Rights Act of 1965
Banned discriminatory practices in denying Blacks (and others)Banned discriminatory practices in denying Blacks (and others)
the right to votethe right to vote
Literacy testsLiteracy tests
The 24The 24thth AmendmentAmendment
BannedBanned ""poll taxespoll taxes"" that had been used to deny poor Blacks thethat had been used to deny poor Blacks the
right to voteright to vote
Affirmative ActionAffirmative Action
1965, President Johnson issues executive order1965, President Johnson issues executive order
"take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed,"take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed,
and that employees are treated during employment, withoutand that employees are treated during employment, without
regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin."regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin."
PostPost--1960s Developments1960s Developments
Gradual improvement in educational, social andGradual improvement in educational, social and
economic standings of Blackseconomic standings of Blacks
Still lag behind overall population in almost allStill lag behind overall population in almost all
areasareas
Poverty rate for Blacks is 25%Poverty rate for Blacks is 25%
U.S.: 12.4%U.S.: 12.4%
Whites: 8.9%Whites: 8.9%
72.3% completed high school, 14.3% have completed72.3% completed high school, 14.3% have completed
collegecollege
U.S.: 80.4% and 24.4%U.S.: 80.4% and 24.4%
Whites: 83.6% and 26.1%Whites: 83.6% and 26.1%
Many major Northern cities remain heavilyMany major Northern cities remain heavily
segregatedsegregated
MusicMusic
RockRock--andand--roll, Soul, R&B, Raproll, Soul, R&B, Rap
LiteratureLiterature
Toni Morrison (1993 Nobel Prize winner)Toni Morrison (1993 Nobel Prize winner)
The Bluest EyeThe Bluest Eye,, BelovedBeloved,, JazzJazz
Ishmael Reed, Alice Walker, Ralph EllisonIshmael Reed, Alice Walker, Ralph Ellison
SportSport
Baseball segregation ends in 1947 whenBaseball segregation ends in 1947 when
Jackie Robinson plays for the BrooklynJackie Robinson plays for the Brooklyn
Dodgers (now L.A.)Dodgers (now L.A.)
Football and basketball followFootball and basketball follow
Film and TelevisionFilm and Television
Sidney PoitierSidney Poitier
First Black to win an Oscar for a leading role (1963 inFirst Black to win an Oscar for a leading role (1963 in LiliesLilies
of the Fieldof the Field))
Hattie McDaniel had won an Academy Award in 1940 for herHattie McDaniel had won an Academy Award in 1940 for her
supporting role insupporting role in Gone With the WindGone With the Wind
Bill Cosby, Eddie Murphy, Denzel Washington, OprahBill Cosby, Eddie Murphy, Denzel Washington, Oprah
Winfrey, Halle BerryWinfrey, Halle Berry
PoliticsPolitics
ThurgoodThurgood MarshallMarshall
First African American to serve on the U.S. Supreme CourtFirst African American to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court
(1967(1967--1991)1991)
Represented and won more cases before the Supreme CourtRepresented and won more cases before the Supreme Court
than any other American.than any other American.
Colin Powell,Colin Powell, CondoleezaCondoleeza RiceRice