Video: Segregation in America
The Declaration of Independence begins by stating that "All men are created equal..." Yet for much of our country's history this statement did not apply to all Americans. What was it like in a segregated America? Watch this short video to learn more about the laws and practices that attempted to limit contact between the races.
The public argument over civil rights might have emerged from Cold War issues, but the struggle for equal treatment had been growing since the 1910s. The Great Migration of blacks out of the South, a population shift that began in the 1910s, continued through the 1940s, creating large voting blocks of African Americans in the northern cities. These blocks wielded a greater power to influence elections and to press for social change. The urban nature of black life in the North also allowed for greater organization in groups like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
A higher percentage of Americans attended school in the years following World War II. This growth in education led to a greater tolerance among the population of other cultures and races. Attitudes especially shifted in educated whites, who increasingly questioned the treatment of African Americans.
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Visit The Library of Congress exhibit African American Odyssey to learn more. Complete this reading guide as you explore the site to help you understand the movement. |
