Question

Your topic is to research the achievements of African American leaders during the 1800s.

What interests you about this topic? What do you already know about this topic? How does this topic relate to you or to people you know? What is appropriate for an essay on the topic?

Brainstorm to generate ideas.

Answer 1

The thing that interests me about the topic was how African Americans ensured that there were changes regarding the policies that segregated them.

During the Reconstruction, African Americans participated in political, social, and economic life. The Reconstruction era led to equal rights and autonomy for the black community.

During this period, African Americans held public offices, This wasn't possible before as African Americans could only vote. They organized protests requesting equal rights and protesting against discrimination. This led to African Americans such as Blanche Bruce and Hiram Revels becoming senators. This topic is vital as it illustrates the role palyed by blacks in ensuring equality.

Answer 2

Answer: Before the Civil War began, African Americans had only been able to vote in a few northern states, and there were virtually no Black officeholders. The months after the Union victory in April 1865 saw extensive mobilization within the Black community, with meetings, parades and petitions calling for legal and political rights, including the all-important right to vote. During the first two years of Reconstruction, Black people organized Equal Rights Leagues throughout the South and held state and local conventions to protest discriminatory treatment and demand suffrage, as well as equality before the law.

Hope this helps!