Long before the Civil War, black abolitionists shared the consensus that violence would be necessary to end slavery. Unlike their white peers, their arguments were about when and how to use political violence, not if.
150 years after the ratification of the 15th Amendment, an understanding what happened during Reconstruction is essential for exploring black power, resilience and excellence. Here are some resources for teaching Reconstruction.
Charting the ironies of freedom won and lost during and after the Civil War, Eric Foner, the American historian, has also helped us better understand the ambiguous consequences of what were almost always only partial victories.
Retracing the 160-year-old Southern journey of famed architect Frederick Law Olmsted, the author looks to uncover the roots of the region's still extant poisoned racial politics.
Think today's lack of congressional comity is bizarre? It's nothing (or not yet something) compared to the physical violence prevalent on the floor of the House and Senate in the period leading up to the Civil War.
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