Final answer:
Race relations in the U.S. between 1870 and 1950 were characterized by segregation, disenfranchisement, and racial violence, with notable resistance through civil rights cases and activism. The period included the Great Migration and laid the groundwork for the modern Civil Rights Movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
Race Relations in the U.S. from 1870 to 1950
During the period of 1870-1950, historians have noted that race relations in the United States experienced significant challenges, often referred to as the 'nadir of race relations,' particularly marked by the 1890s. The introduction of Jim Crow laws and disenfranchisement efforts against black voters characterized this era of deep-seated segregation and discrimination. Although some black Southerners became more wealthy and assertive, leading to the enactment of segregation laws, these were harsh times with widespread racial violence.
A change in historical perspective from a national to a local lens has shown that civil rights activism was not confined to the 1950s and 1960s. Local history reveals ongoing struggles and civil rights cases that challenged segregation and discrimination, highlighting the complexity of an era that also saw increases in black education and entrepreneurship. However, the outcomes of these cases were often insufficient to combat the systemic racism of the times.
The early twentieth century also witnessed the Great Migration, as 6 million African Americans moved from the rural South to the urban North seeking industrial opportunities. This relocation led to a cultural flourishing within African American communities despite continued economic and social challenges, such as housing discrimination and racially-driven violence. The North, while legally less segregated, still harbored strong racial prejudices that affected job opportunities and led to incidents of intense racial violence, such as the Chicago race riot of 1919.
Even with these struggles, the origins of the modern Civil Rights Movement can be traced back to this period, as African Americans and allies fought for equality in spite of the daunting legal and societal barriers placed in their way. By examining this time frame, we can see the resilience of a marginalized population and the deep roots of the civil rights struggle in American history.