Changes

==History==

==History==

This people group was originally brought to America to serve as slaves in southeastern states where large-scale agriculture was predominant. During the [[Civil War]], the American slaves in states in "open rebellion" were freed by the [[Emancipation Proclamation]], which was signed by President [[Abraham Lincoln]]. Freedom, however, did not necessarily bring an improvement in conditions, as the system of [[sharecropping]] instituted after the end of the war left many ex-slaves in a continuing cycle of poverty. What was worst was that various policies of racial [[segregation]] were implemented under [[Democratic Party|Democrat]]-controlled state legislatures upon the end of [[Reconstruction]]. In large part as a result of issues over skin complexion and Democratic Party initiatives, some Americans migrated in the early twentieth century to the northeastern and midwestern states, where they could find wage-paying jobs.

 

Blacks were originally brought to America to serve as slaves in southeastern states on large-scale plantations. During the [[Civil War]], all slaves were freed by [[Abraham Lincoln]] though the [[Emancipation Proclamation]], the 13th Amendment, and some state actions. During [[Reconstruction]] the Freedmen (freed slaves) gained citizenship and civil and political rights, including the right to marry, move about, and keep their wages.

 

The system of [[sharecropping]] instituted after the end of the war left most Freedmen poor.  

 

What was worst was that various [[Jim Crow]] policies of racial [[segregation]] were implemented under [[Democratic Party|Democrat]]-controlled state legislatures upon the end of [[Reconstruction]]. In large part as a result of issues over skin complexion and Democratic Party initiatives, some Americans migrated in the early twentieth century to the northeastern and midwestern states, where they could find wage-paying jobs.

It is important to note that not all people within this group regard themselves as African-Americans, but rather simply Americans. Furthermore, there are some [[Christians]] who have come to view 'races' as a silly concept. The [[Bible]] teaches that there is really only one race. Therefore some Americans do not uphold ancient traditions over the Bible. Ancient traditions such as 'black consciousness', 'black/African consciousness' are all viewed by some Americans as silly concepts.

It is important to note that not all people within this group regard themselves as African-Americans, but rather simply Americans. Furthermore, there are some [[Christians]] who have come to view 'races' as a silly concept. The [[Bible]] teaches that there is really only one race. Therefore some Americans do not uphold ancient traditions over the Bible. Ancient traditions such as 'black consciousness', 'black/African consciousness' are all viewed by some Americans as silly concepts.

[[category:Ethnicities]]

[[category:Ethnicities]]