African American Studies- Test 1

Who became president after Abraham Lincoln was assassinated?

Andrew Johnson

What purpose did churches serve for Africa Americans

Freed slaves were tired of being treated like second-class citizens in whites churches The Black preachers had very different styles than white ministers Freed slaves were unhappy with message they received in white churches

How did Andrew Johnson's becoming president affect blacks?

Johnson felt that Blacks should not vote or have role in government, and were vastly inferior to whites and Johnson destroyed many of their hopes

How did Johnson treat the former Confederates?

Johnson treated them with extreme leniency and many of the high leaders were granted pardons under Johnson

Why did Freedman's Bureau try to get blacks to sign labor contracts with white landowners?

Kept whites in charge Compromise returning black people to white authority- sharecropping The contracts were legal agreements between 2 equals: landowner and laborer

What were some common features of many sharecropping agreements?

Laborers could not quit or strike Landowners sometimes made requirements about what crops could be planted and raised Most of the time, landowners accepted a share of the crop for rent

How was Lincoln changing the opinion of blacks shortly before he was assassinated?

Lincoln suggested that perhaps some Blacks who were educated or veterans should be able to vote

Why did many oppose the land bill Thaddeus Stevens introduced in Congress in late 1865?

Many individuals felt that property rights of Southerners were more important than granting land to Blacks

What was the significance of the Election of 1866?

Republicans gained two-thirds majorities in both the House and Senate and could, therefore, override any presidential veto

How did former slaves react to freedom?

Some exhibited anger toward their formers masters Some were very concerned about their futures and concerns Some ran away immediately

How did former masters react to the emancipation of their slaves?

Some were tremendously hurt and surprised when their slaves chose to run away or leave

How did whites react to attempting to establish schools in the south?

Sometimes by burning school buildings Sometimes with violence, including killing teachers With verbal opposition, stating that Blacks simply could not learn

What effect did the First Reconstruction Act have on black political power?

The First Reconstruction Act stated all adult males could vote(with a few exceptions) and was the culmination of all Blacks had been working for

What did the 14th amendment do?

The Fourteenth Amendment explicitly gave Black men the right to vote

What were some of the problems with the labor contracts for many blacks?

The contracts were rarely done voluntarily, or on an equal basis Blacks ended up at about the same station as during slavery

What were the limitations of the Freedman's Bureau?

There were never enough personnel involved and staff members frequently held racist views of Blacks The Freedmen's Bureau was given huge responsibilities, including education, mediating labor contracts, obtaining land, and settling criminal disputes Congress failed to appropriate enough money to the Freedmen's Bureau

What was the main purpose of Freedman's Bureau?

To help assist the newly freed slaves in their transition to freedom Reconnect south and north

Why did many blacks meet in conventions in 1865 an 1866 across the South?

To protest the Black codes, and respectfullyask that whites live up to the ideals of America

Why was there so much violence in the South after Reconstruction?

White southerners were Frustrated by their loss during the Civil War, and resented Blacks acquiring freedom and status

Some feel that blacks became apathetic and complacent after receiving the right to vote. What evidence do we have that this statement is not true?

blacks initiated sit-ins, labor strikes etc

What was Special Field Order #15?

military orders issued during the American Civil War, on January 16, 1865, by General William Tecumseh Sherman, commander of the Military Division of the Mississippi of the United States Army. Give portion of land to aa

What was the first concern of many African Americans once they achieved freedom?

reuniting with lost family members

What was established with the Black Codes?

the didn't allow blacks the right to own their own property, controlled where blacks were living, established a curfew, and forced blacks to work as agricultural laborers or as domestics. Beginning of having laws to segregate white and blacks All of the above

How did women suffragists feel about the 14th amendment?

they felt betrayed and angry

How was education important to blacks after Reconstruction?

they saw education and freedom as closely linked

What do Berea, Hamptom, Tougaloo and Avery Colleges have in common?

they were black schools established by religious orginizations

What were some of the limitations of black teachers in the South?

they were often poorly educated themselves