Racism during the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era
During the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era (GAPE), many atrocities were directed towards African-American people. This period of history was one of the great advances. The nation was making incredible advancements in industry, science, and the settlement of the frontier. America was growing richer and life was getting better every day for many people. Although this period was productive, many whites still had harsh feelings for those of different skin color. While GAPE was an era of great prosperity for the people of the nation we must look into how the conditions of the work force may have influenced the way African-Americans were treated.
The laborers in the factories of America worked under terrible conditions and lived in crowded tenements in slums and ghettoes. Science and technology changed life for the better in many ways. It also made things more complex, made many jobs obsolete, and it seemed strange and terrifying to many people. Many white people may have felt that African-Americans were taking jobs that were available for more deserving whites. This may have been why there was so many
lynchings, riots and other acts of violence were directed towards African-Americans. These acts of violence caused man
"The typed inscription on the reverse reads, "Four Niggers hanged by a mob in the State of Georgia for assaulting a white woman." In fact this lynching occurred in Kentucky, and the men were known for their public criticism of the white run legal system-this is the most likely reason they were executed. The false information reflects a common justification for lynching in the South-that blacks were inferior and sexually uncontrollable. Such justification by southern leaders fostered the misconception that blacks were lynched predominantly for sexual assault, but few lynching victims were actually convicted or even indicted for such crimes."
The site was great, the photos gruesome and surreal. Unfortunately we are a "me first" society and we forget what those before us had to suffer in order to get us where we are today. We always want to look at a situation and point the finger at the other party or person. There was no justification in the assassination of so many African-Americans, especially since it was based on one thing, the color of ones skin. As Americans we should feel ashamed of the many things that we have done in the past to hurt others for the benefit of one.
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