Final answer:
The lives of African Americans changed to varying extents after the Civil War, but many still faced discrimination and limited opportunities.
Step-by-step explanation:
After the Civil War, the lives of African Americans underwent significant changes. While some former slaves were able to escape the legislated constrictions of the Jim Crow laws and pursue opportunities for self-determination, the majority had to work as sharecroppers and face poverty and powerlessness. Discriminatory laws and practices, such as segregation and violence by groups like the Ku Klux Klan, continued to hinder the progress of African Americans. However, the Great Migration in the early 20th century saw over a million African Americans move north in search of industrial jobs and better opportunities, marking a new prospect of mobility.