African American

Definition

African Americans are individuals of African descent who were born or reside in the United States, having a unique cultural and historical identity shaped by the legacy of slavery, segregation, and ongoing struggles for civil rights. This group has played a significant role in shaping American culture, politics, and society, especially in the context of the New South's transformation after the Civil War.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. After the Civil War, many African Americans moved to urban areas in the New South seeking better economic opportunities and living conditions.
2. Despite facing systemic racism and discriminatory laws, African Americans contributed significantly to the cultural life of the New South through music, literature, and art.
3. The Great Migration during the early 20th century saw millions of African Americans leaving the rural South for Northern cities in search of jobs and freedom from oppression.
4. African Americans faced numerous challenges, including violence from groups like the Ku Klux Klan, as they sought to assert their rights and gain equality in society.
5. The establishment of organizations like the NAACP played a crucial role in advocating for civil rights and challenging injustices faced by African Americans during this period.

Review Questions

• How did African American culture influence the social landscape of the New South after Reconstruction?
  • African American culture significantly shaped the social landscape of the New South through various forms of artistic expression, including music genres like blues and jazz, which drew on African traditions and experiences. The emergence of literature reflecting African American experiences also fostered a sense of community and identity. These cultural contributions not only enriched Southern culture but also began to challenge prevailing racial stereotypes, paving the way for future movements for civil rights and social change.
• Evaluate the impact of Jim Crow laws on African Americans' daily lives in the New South.
  • Jim Crow laws had a profound impact on the daily lives of African Americans by enforcing racial segregation in all aspects of life, including schools, transportation, and public facilities. These laws perpetuated a system of disenfranchisement, preventing many African Americans from voting and accessing equal opportunities. The legal framework established by Jim Crow not only institutionalized racism but also fostered an environment where violence and discrimination were rampant, severely restricting African Americans' rights and freedoms.
• Analyze how sharecropping affected African American economic independence in the New South and its long-term consequences.
  • Sharecropping was a system that trapped many African Americans in a cycle of poverty and dependency. While it offered a way to work land after slavery, sharecroppers often found themselves heavily indebted to landowners due to unfair practices and exploitative contracts. This economic arrangement limited their ability to accumulate wealth or achieve true independence. Over time, this led to a lack of upward mobility among African American families in the South, perpetuating economic disparities that would last for generations.

Related terms

Jim Crow Laws:

State and local laws enacted in the South that enforced racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans from the late 19th century until the mid-20th century.

Sharecropping:

An agricultural system that emerged in the South after the Civil War, where African American farmers worked land owned by white landowners in exchange for a share of the crops produced.

NAACP:

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, founded in 1909, aimed at fighting for civil rights and combating racial discrimination against African Americans.