African Americans played a major role in the Civil War. More than 200,000 blacks fought for the Union and 38,000 died, the majority of disease (PBS). The following quote is from blacks who passed a resolution: "Our feelings urge us to say to our countrymen that we are ready to stand by and defend our government as the equals of its white defenders; to do so with our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor, for the sake of freedom, and as good citizens; and we ask that you modify your laws, that we may enlist "that full scope may be given to the patriotic feelings burning in the colored man's breast."" (PBS). This expresses how African Americans wanted to show loyalty to their country by fighting in the war, so that they could receive their fair treatment and rights. With the advent of the Emancipation Proclamation, black troops were finally allowed to join the fight (PBS). In the beginning, conditions were harsh, but some black soldiers refused any pay for 18 months to protest the unfair treatment, and were given equally granted equal pay and improved conditions (PBS). After fighting, and the death of 617,000 Americans, the Civil War came to a close, and began a new era for African Americans. Soon after the Civil War, there was Reconstruction, a period of recovery from the war. Many organizations were formed to .
Smalls 3.
hinder the freedom of blacks, such as the Klu Klux Klan, and other hate groups, but that would not stop the struggle of Africans Americans to achieve what they had wanted for so long.
After the Civil War, it was hard for African Americans to get the rights they deserved, but with strong leaders and organizations they overcame the injustice. Soon, African Americans started to receive fair advantages like, high paying jobs, the right to a fair education and many other opportunities. In the mid-nineteen hundreds doors started to open up for many African Americans.