During the Civil War, African Americans, both slaves and freemen, played a significant role for both the North and the South. For the North, African American men were recruited to join the Union army, with some 180,000 enlisting by the end of the war. They faced discrimination and were often paid less than white soldiers, but the opportunity to fight for their freedom and that of their families was a powerful motivation. For the South, slaves were used as laborers and to support the Confederate war effort, but were not allowed to fight.
In the Reconstruction Era, African Americans faced many challenges as they navigated the transition from slavery to freedom. They had to contend with discriminatory laws and violence from white supremacists, as well as economic obstacles such as lack of access to land and education. Despite these challenges, many African Americans were able to establish themselves as farmers, business owners, and political leaders. Some of the leading figures of the time include Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and Hiram Revels, the first African American senator.
During the reconstruction period, African Americans were actively involved in the politics, they formed political parties, established schools, and built churches. However, they faced a lot of resistance from the white Americans and the Ku Klux Klan. It was a time of difficulty and uncertainty for African Americans but they were making progress towards freedom and equality. The reconstruction period was a crucial step towards the progress of the African American community but it was not without its challenges and setbacks.
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