Member-only story

Race and the Transformation of American Politics

Brayden Reed

·10.7k Followers· Follow

Published in Issue Evolution: Race And The Transformation Of American Politics

7 min read

480 View Claps

79 Respond

Save

Listen

Race has been a central issue in American politics since the founding of the nation. The institution of slavery, the legacy of Jim Crow, and the ongoing struggle for civil rights have all shaped the way that Americans think about race and its role in society.

Issue Evolution: Race and the Transformation of American Politics

by Edward G. Carmines

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4632 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	226 pages

In recent years, race has become even more salient in American politics. The election of Barack Obama as the first African American president in 2008 was a watershed moment, but it also led to a backlash from some white Americans who felt that their country was being taken away from them.

The rise of Donald Trump and the alt-right has further polarized American politics along racial lines. Trump's campaign was built on a message of white nationalism, and he has repeatedly made racist and xenophobic statements. This has emboldened white supremacists and other hate groups, and has led to an increase in hate crimes.

The transformation of American politics along racial lines is a complex and ongoing process. It is a story of both progress and setbacks, of hope and despair. But it is also a story that is far from over. The future of race in American politics will depend on the choices that we make today.

The Founding of the Nation

The United States was founded on the principles of liberty and equality, but these principles were not applied to all Americans. The institution of slavery was legal in the United States until 1865, and African Americans were denied basic rights, such as the right to vote and the right to own property.

The Founding Fathers were aware of the contradiction between the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the reality of slavery. Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration of Independence, owned hundreds of slaves. Benjamin Franklin, who was a leading abolitionist, owned slaves in his early life.

The Founding Fathers hoped that slavery would eventually die out, but it did not. Instead, slavery became increasingly entrenched in the American economy and society. By the time of the Civil War, slavery was the cornerstone of the Southern economy.

The Civil War and Reconstruction

The Civil War was fought over the issue of slavery. The North wanted to preserve the Union, while the South wanted to secede and form a new nation based on slavery.

The Civil War was a bloody and costly conflict. More than 600,000 Americans were killed in the war. The war ended with the defeat of the Confederacy and the abolition of slavery.

After the Civil War, the United States entered a period of Reconstruction. During Reconstruction, the federal government tried to rebuild the South and to protect the rights of African Americans.

Reconstruction was a difficult period. The South was devastated by the war, and many white Southerners resented the federal government's intervention. African Americans faced violence and discrimination from white Southerners who wanted to keep them in their place.

Reconstruction ended in 1877 with the Compromise of 1877. The Compromise of 1877 was a political deal that ended federal Reconstruction and allowed white Southerners to regain control of their states.

Jim Crow

After Reconstruction, the South entered a period of Jim Crow. Jim Crow was a system of laws and customs that enforced racial segregation in the South. African Americans were denied basic rights, such as the right to vote, the right to serve on juries, and the right to equal access to education and public accommodations.

Jim Crow was a brutal and oppressive system. African Americans were subjected to violence, lynching, and other forms of intimidation. They were denied opportunities for education and employment, and they were forced to live in segregated communities.

Jim Crow was not just a Southern problem. It was a national problem. Northern states also had laws and customs that discriminated against African Americans. However, Jim Crow was most severe in the South.

The Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights Movement was a nonviolent movement that fought to end Jim Crow and to secure equal rights for African Americans.

The Civil Rights Movement was led by a variety of organizations, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP),the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC),and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).

The Civil Rights Movement used a variety of tactics to achieve its goals. These tactics included boycotts, sit-ins, and freedom rides. The Civil Rights Movement also lobbied Congress to pass laws that would outlaw discrimination.

The Civil Rights Movement made significant progress in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional. In 1964, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and other areas of public life.

The Civil Rights Movement did not end discrimination against African Americans, but it made significant progress in dismantling the system of Jim Crow.

The Present Day

Race continues to be a major issue in American politics today. The election of Barack Obama as the first African American president in 2008 was a watershed moment, but it also led to a backlash from some white Americans who felt that their country was being taken away from them.

Issue Evolution: Race and the Transformation of American Politics

by Edward G. Carmines

4.3 out of 5