The government designed Freedman’s Bureau in order to, “ease the transition from slavery to freedom.” (Veit, Unit 7, Lecture 3, 2:52). With this bureau also came the passing of the 14th amendment, which made African Americans citizens of America. The Freedman of Edisto Island write in a letter to the President, “Do therefore petition to you as the President of the United States, that some provisions be made by which every colored man can purchase land.” (Demand Land, 1865). This letter shows how even though there was no more slavery, African Americans were still fighting for the same rights as whites. The Black Codes were created to be able to set rule for African Americans. The Black Can be described as, “a clear attempt to restore slavery in everything but the name.” (Veit, Unit 7, Lecture 2, 21:24). African Americans also encountered hate in more radical forms, with the creation of the Ku Klux Klan. The KKK went on rampages to restore white supremacy and defeat the Republicans (Veit, Unit 7, Lecture 3). In a testimony against the KKK, someone describes, “They took me out of bed; they would not let me get out, but they took me up in their arms and toted me out – me and my daughter Lucy. He struck me on the forehead with a pistol, and here is the scar above my eye now” (Klan Testimony). This is an example of the violence the KKK had towards other. Even though African Americans were now free in …show more content…
Politics itself has modernized, but has also affected events that have shaped America to how it is today. Also, the time between the civil war and the reconstruction modernized America by expanding west. Also, women took on a role in the home that they haven’t before. African Americans continue their long fight for freedom, but push forward with recognition that they are citizens of America. This all shows how America modernized to what it is