African Americans become full citizens.

• 13th Amendment – ended slavery.• 14th Amendment – forbid states from

denying Constitutional rights to any citizens.

• 15th Amendment – the right to vote cannot be denied on the basis of race.

Do African Americans then live free from discrimination, segregation and racism?

Racism Continues

States deny AA the right to vote.

• Literacy tests (ex.)• Poll taxes• Grandfather clauses

Legal Segregation• Jim Crow laws – state

and local laws that separate blacks and whites in public settings.

Is all this legal?

Plessy v. Ferguson – 1896• Homer Plessy sits in the

“white” car on a New Orleans train.

• He is arrested for violating a city segregation ordinance.

• His appeal reaches the Supreme Court.

• The court rules in favor of the “separate but equal” doctrine.

• They argue that separate facility do not make one race feel inferior.

Violence

Any challenges to Jim Crow are generally met with violent measures.

Lynching – illegal “executions” used to send a message to the black community. Over 1400 in southern states between 1882-1892

One Solution: Move North

Southern Segregation

De Jure Segregation that is enforce by law.

Examples: Jim Crow, hiring practices, real estate rules.

Northern Segregation

De Facto Segregation by choice, people’s attitudes.

Examples: the lunchroom, church membership, living patterns