The late 19th century was an important time in American history. It set the stage for the Civil Rights Movement. Several key events and laws helped shape the fight for civil rights.

1. Reconstruction Era (1865-1877)

• The Thirteenth Amendment (1865) ended slavery in the United States.
• The Fourteenth Amendment (1868) made anyone born or naturalized in the U.S. a citizen and promised that everyone would be treated equally under the law.
• The Fifteenth Amendment (1870) gave African American men the right to vote. This led to more African Americans in politics, with about 1,500 holding public office by 1870, including two U.S. Senators.

2. Jim Crow Laws and Segregation (1890s)

• After Reconstruction, many Southern states created Jim Crow laws. These laws enforced racial separation in public spaces. By the 1890s, over 30 states had these laws.
• The Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) Supreme Court case ruled that segregation was legal as long as the separate facilities were equal. This allowed unfair laws and practices to continue.

3. Rise of Activism and Organizations

• As discrimination increased, groups like the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) were formed in 1909. This group built on earlier movements fighting against racial injustice.
• The Niagara Movement (1905) was an important step towards civil rights for African Americans. Leaders like W.E.B. Du Bois pushed for an end to segregation and unfair treatment.

4. Economic Disparities and Migration

• After Reconstruction, African Americans faced few job opportunities, leading to high poverty levels. About 90% of African Americans lived in the South, mostly working as farmers.
• The Great Migration (starting around 1916) was when many African Americans moved from rural areas in the South to cities in the North for better jobs and living conditions. By 1940, around 1.6 million African Americans had made this move.

5. Racial Violence and Lynching

• The late 19th century saw a rise in racial violence, especially lynchings. Between 1882 and 1968, over 4,700 lynchings happened, especially from 1890 to 1910.
• This trouble and fear led to more activism and calls for change, leading to efforts for civil rights at both local and national levels.

6. Influence of Intellectual Movements

• During this time, many important African American thinkers and leaders emerged. People like Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells, and Booker T. Washington brought attention to racial problems, helping to create discussions around civil rights and fairness.

Conclusion

These events laid the groundwork for the Civil Rights Movement in the mid-20th century. They highlighted the deep injustices faced by African Americans and sparked a wave of activism. This activism would eventually grow into a powerful movement aimed at ending segregation and discrimination. The late 19th century was a key time in the ongoing fight for civil rights in the U.S.