Did the abolition of slavery change the status of african americans?
Yes —– it is ture that Jim Crow Laws and so-called Black Laws and the KKK and many many other people and groups tried very hard for many, many years to keep the black population from prospering, using threats, violence, and every other method. it was not an overnight change from slavery to freedom, and like many things, remains ongoing. However, people answering have to know the facts, and the facts are that the huge majority of thew black population that was freed through the results of the Civil War were much happier and much better off than before. Again, not suggesting that it was perfect, or close to it — only that the objective facts are that the status of the African Americans drastically changed for5 the better in general, and many thousands of people throughout the years after the war worked hard to help that improve.
Legally, yes there were no more slaves (of any race). However, soon after Abolition, other restrictive laws were put into place (“Jim Crow” laws) which kept the uneducated, poor, and land-less former slaves from escaping the harshness of their past for many years. They may have known they were not slaves, but there were heavy economic and social forces keeping the former slaves oppressed. Remember that after Abolition, neither women nor former slaves had the right to vote. Until the vote was granted to all US citizens, it was impossible to change laws which put heavy restrictions on one class of citizens and not another.
Mere abolition of slavery by law can change the status in the Statute Book. The status of African-Americians should be considered on how much human value do others attach to their life and freedom. When the word slavery is seen as a forgotten chapter & wipe out such feelings from the minds of the people who practised or forced slavery, then there is hope for a total status change. Status change in this aspect can be attained to the required level with more support to their living conditions economically, social & cultural environment, and a total consideration for equality among all the people. Therefore, I do not consider abolition of slavery could change the status of Africian – Americans to the intented measure, but can see visible changes. Let us hope for the best to see a totally slavery free society at the earliest possible time.
I am not a great historian but my feeling is that once slavery was abolished the black people then became the enemy and white people saw them as a threat and therefore did some dreadful things to them and got away with it. It took many many years for some people to eventually accept black people as equals and I belive that there are still many who hate them and think of them as inferior. Sadly racism is still all too evident in this world.
